Michael Brooks
In Catholicism, the pursuit of holiness and love is seen as incompatible with selfishness. Selfishness is viewed as a disease caused by original sin, and the cure is Christ's self-giving love. Catholics are taught to put others before themselves and to perform selfless acts, mirroring Christ's sacrifice. This idea is summed up in the biblical command to love God and love your neighbour. While some may argue that truly unselfish acts do not exist, Catholics are encouraged to reflect on their actions and make amends for selfish behaviour. This introspection is believed to foster spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Love God and your neighbour | Love is the antidote to selfishness |
| Put others before yourself | Selfless acts are done for the benefit of others without any expectation of reward or recognition |
| Sacrifice yourself for others | Jesus sacrificed himself for others, and we should do the same |
| Examine your conscience each day | Reflect on how you have failed to be selfless and make a firm purpose of amendment |
| Recognise selfless acts of others | Soldiers, police officers, firefighters, and others make our world a better place through their selfless acts |
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What You'll Learn
Love God, love your neighbour
In the Gospel of Mark (10:42-45), Jesus Christ provides a definition of what it means to be His servant. As a servant of Christ, one must not place oneself first but rather place others before oneself. This is contrary to the world's norm, where finishing first and "getting ahead" are paramount. However, Jesus tells His followers that "it shall not be so among you".
The whole law of God can be summarised in two basic commands: love God and love your neighbour. This teaching is simple to say and easy to learn, but putting it into practice is a lifelong endeavour. Being selfless means putting the good of others before your own, even if it means going without for the happiness of others. It means thinking about how your actions might affect others before considering how they will affect you.
Selfishness is the disease caused by original sin, and self-giving love is the cure given to us by Christ. To grow in holiness is to grow in love, and love is the antidote to selfishness. Love and selfishness cannot coexist in the human heart. Becoming like Christ means undergoing our own kenosis, or self-emptying, not for the sake of being empty but for the sake of giving ourselves in loving service to others.
Jesus Christ, through his sacrificial death on the Cross, manifested the Son of God's own perfect fulfilment and satisfaction in His human nature because His death was an act of pure love. By imitating Christ's perfect sacrifice, we can find fulfilment in life through the complete and unwavering sacrifice of our lives given to others.
Self-care is also an important aspect of selflessness. Rather than being selfish, taking care of oneself can be selfless, as it allows one to show up for others as the best version of oneself. By nourishing one's heart, mind, and soul, one can then show up for their loved ones with peace, stability, and security.
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Selflessness as a journey
Selflessness is a journey, and a lifelong one at that. It is a path to holiness, to becoming more Christ-like, and it is far from easy. We are born selfish, and it is human nature to be self-centred. However, the spiritual life is a journey from selfishness to selflessness, and this is a process that will take our whole lives.
The first step is to recognise and acknowledge our selfishness. We must examine our conscience each day and ask God to show us where we have fallen short. We can then make an Act of Contrition and resolve to do better. This is not a quick fix, and it requires a genuine desire to change and to rid ourselves of the selfishness that keeps God out.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be servants, to place others first, and to put the good of others before our own. This means thinking about how our actions will affect others and putting their needs before our own. It also means being patient and suffering annoyances without complaint.
Jesus teaches us that living selflessly is the way to find our true purpose and to fulfil ourselves on the deepest level. His own sacrifice on the Cross was an act of pure, selfless love, and we are called to imitate this in our own lives. By loving God and others selflessly, we become who we were created to be.
Selflessness is not about thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. It is about giving ourselves in loving service to others and allowing love to reign in our hearts. This is a journey, and it requires daily commitment and resolve to live sacrificially and to put others first.
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Self-care is not selfish
In the Catholic tradition, the path to holiness is often summarised by two basic commandments: love God and love your neighbour. While this is simple in theory, it can be difficult to put into practice. Selfishness is considered a sin, and selflessness is seen as the antidote to this poison.
However, self-care is not selfish. It is necessary to refill your cup so you can continue to give to others. Just as flight attendants instruct passengers to secure their oxygen masks before helping others, self-care ensures you are in a position to help those around you. It is about carving out moments of respite, reclaiming your time, and honouring your needs with the same tenderness and compassion you give to others. It is about giving yourself permission to relax mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Self-care can also be a way to show love and care to those around you indirectly. When we take care of ourselves, we set an example for others to follow. By honouring our boundaries, practicing mindfulness, and nourishing our bodies, we create a blueprint for healthy relationships built on mutual respect and understanding. Checking in with a friend or volunteering for a cause you care about can also be forms of self-care.
In the Gospels, Jesus teaches that those who live selfishly do not accomplish their goals. By living selflessly and putting others before ourselves, we find our true purpose and fulfil ourselves on the deepest level. This is reflected in Jesus' own self-giving love, which is always fulfilling and seeks the good of others.
Therefore, while selfishness is considered a sin in the Catholic tradition, self-care is not selfish. It is necessary to refill our cups so we can continue to give to others and set a positive example. By taking care of ourselves, we can better love and serve those around us, fulfilling our true purpose and achieving holiness.
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Jesus' teachings on selflessness
Jesus taught that living selfishly and seeking to elevate oneself above others will ultimately lead to losing one's soul. Conversely, living selflessly and putting others first leads to finding one's true purpose and fulfilling oneself on the deepest level. This is exemplified in Jesus' own sacrifice on the cross, which was an act of pure, holy, selfless, and total love.
Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates selflessness in action. In the story, a Samaritan puts his plans on hold to tend to a wounded man, giving selflessly of his time, sympathy, and assets. He puts the needs of the stranger ahead of his own and goes out of his way to help him, demonstrating that selflessness runs counter to human nature.
Jesus himself embodied selflessness by becoming human, suffering, and dying for the sake of others. He humbled himself and became obedient to God's will, even to the point of death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 describes this self-emptying act:
> "He existed in the form of God but did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped. Instead, he emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature."
Jesus' disciples are called to imitate his selflessness and sacrifice. This involves putting God first and allowing Him to conform their lives into Christlikeness. It means sacrificing for others, forgiving others, making peace, and loving others selflessly.
In summary, Jesus' teachings on selflessness revolve around denying oneself, putting others first, and sacrificing for their benefit. By doing so, believers can find their true purpose and experience the joy of heaven, which is described as a never-ending kenosis (self-emptying) of the blessed into God's love.
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Selflessness in the community
Selflessness is a cornerstone of Catholic teachings, and performing unselfish acts is considered a way to grow closer to God and Christ. According to Catholic doctrine, selfishness is a result of original sin, and self-giving love is the cure offered by Christ.
In the Gospel of Mark (10:42-45), Christ provides a definition of what it means to be His servant:
> "...a servant of Christ distinguishes oneself as a person who places others first."
This teaching is reflected in the lives of the saints and followers of Jesus, who have demonstrated selflessness in their service to others. For example, the Catholic Church has recognised the selfless acts of heroism by soldiers, police officers, firefighters, and many others who make the world a better place. One such individual is Fr. Vincent Capodanno, who served as a priest during the Vietnam War and was honoured with the title "Servant of God" by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.
Catholics are encouraged to examine their conscience daily and reflect on how their actions may have fallen short of God's teachings. This practice, known as an "Act of Contrition," helps identify selfishness and other sins that prevent individuals from fully embracing God's love. By recognising and confessing these shortcomings, Catholics can strive to live more selflessly and grow in holiness.
Performing unselfish acts in the community can take many forms, such as volunteering, charitable giving, or simply sharing and taking turns. It involves putting the needs of others before your own and seeking their good without expectation of reward or recognition. This may include sacrificing your time, resources, or comfort to benefit those around you.
Ultimately, selflessness in the community is about embodying Christ-like love and serving others as Christ did. It is a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and transformation.
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Frequently asked questions
Selfishness is viewed as a sin in Catholicism, with the belief that it prevents the love of God from possessing a person.
Selflessness is seen as the antidote to the poison of selfishness. It is the path to holiness and a way to imitate Christ's self-giving love.
Being selfless means putting the good of others before your own and thinking about how your actions might affect others.
Catholics are encouraged to examine their conscience each day and ask God to show them their shortcomings. They can then make an Act of Contrition and resolve to behave better in the future.
Yes, the ultimate example of selflessness is Jesus' sacrificial death on the Cross. Other examples include the selfless acts of mothers and fathers on behalf of their children, as well as the heroism of soldiers, police officers, and firefighters.
