Imitation

At times and in some confreres and communities there is this bug of imitation... not of the challenging or conviction aspect of others but of the grandeur and splendour of things!  That guy has remodelled his office, so let me also renovate my office and go for false ceiling.  He has gone to Hyderabad this month, so let me also take off.  That community has put up interlocking bricks along the drive, so let's do the same. In that community, they gave us each a t-shirt for this celebration, so let's give each a pair of branded trousers this time! My rector has taken 15,000/- this month for his expenses, so will I. 

This is precisely the offshoot of a misplaced focus: when our attention and priorities shift from Jesus of the Gospel and the poor, every glittering thing appears good and necessary. It is a matter of getting our priorities right. 

Needs before wants... all the more as religious, being generous and joyful in placing the needs of the poor before my personal luxury and desires.  

Person and his/her growth before setting my own legacy in stone (through a building or property). 

Christ and his values, before my own fancy plans and eogistic castles. 

Initiating a process of change, rather than complete an event with all pomp and glamour.