“Our love must not be a thing of words and fine talk. It must be a thing of action and sincerity” (1 John 3:18).”
DEFINITION: Sincerity is the quality or state of being sincere; honesty of mind or intention; freedom from simulation, hypocrisy, disguise, or false pretense.
1. To encounter God just as he is, it is necessary to come before him just as we are.
2. Our sincerity is genuine in moments of serenity.
3. Only in intimacy is complete sincerity not excessive.
4. When the past is not integrated, accepted or assimilated, the person distorts his or her vision of what is real, including his/ her own reality.
5. Sincerity is often colored by the subjectivity generated by a lack of communication.
6. Among members of the laity that stand out, we encounter some who are inhibited and some who show off; and both attitudes diminish sincerity.
7. A person needs to give the right measure of his/her self: a gift that will neither disintegrate nor diminish him/her.
8. When appearances take the place of being, the mechanism of sincerity breaks down.
9. Truth is not religion; it is the spiritual dimension of the human person.
OTHER CITATIONS:
• “A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “Forcing yourself to think happy lies doesn't heal your dreams. Getting to the truth does.” Martha Beck
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
When and with whom do you find it most difficult to be sincere?
Do you believe that there can be a good “Group Reunion” when there is a lack of sincerity in one or more of its members? Why? What are the consequences? Explain your answer.
2 comments:
On the first point, it makes me think of death. This is because death allows us to see us for who we really are. Either death at the end of our life or death to our will, but either kind of death allows us to be who we really are. And so it is death in either way that allows us to come before God as he really is. Do you think?
Powerful thoughts. They help me see 'authenticity' as a necessary foundation to all relationships, including our relationship with God. It also suggests to me that the fundamental building block of our humanity and potential is 'truth'. More thoughts?
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