Practical Tips About Imitating Christ at Work - Part 3
We conclude our practical tips about imitating Christ at work. Last time we discussed the role virtue plays in guiding us at work. We also established the importance of allowing our spiritual life and our work to "mix" together. Now we look at Rev. Zimpfer's specific suggestions on what we must do to imitate Christ. We'll see if we can apply these to work.
"...we must strive to live and fight for truth as Jesus lived and fought for it; we must attack ignorance and sham as he attacked it, with no complacence in our own superiority, clearly seeing the difference between the sinner and the sin. We must develop courage and fearlessness in facing the harshness of men and their deep selfishness, preferring to see them as ignorant rather than as malicious. We must seek to acquire some of our Lord’s patience and kindness, His charity and tolerance, His understanding and gentleness.
Now let's take each in turn and consider howwe might apply each to the workplace.
Strive to live and fight for truth.
At it's most basic, think: an honest day's work. Repel any temptation or tendency to mislead or even exaggerate the value of your product or service, your work production, your skills, etc.
Attack ignorance and sham, with no complacence in our own superiority, seeing the difference between the sinner and the sin.
If you manage to be completely honest and forthright in your dealings, you'll likely be hyper-aware of those who aren't. You'll also likely see through those who exaggerate their capabilities and accomplishments. Since we live in a world where "self-love" is promoted, where people are encouraged to think highly of themselves rather than cultivate true humility, some of us lack the ability to ascertain our true worth. We've been raised to ignore our faults and focus on how wonderful we are. With our obsession with "self-esteem,", and consequent inability to recognize and accept our faults, it's easy to understand how ignorance can play a role in how we represent ourselves, as well as in our imperfect behavior. Of course, there's also the person who purposely misrepresents themselves and attempts to manipulate others to their own advantage. In either case, when you come across such people, acknowledge what they're doing wrong, but don't try to brand them as "bad." People who do bad things aren't necessarily bad people.
Develop courage and fearlessness in facing the harshness of men and their deep selfishness, preferring to see them as ignorant rather than as malicious.
On the other hand, the fact is some folks really do seem to do things with bad intentions. They may purposely direct their bad behavior at you. When necessary, pray for the courage to deal with them appropriately. You may have to confront them. Charity doesn't require that you back down and let them run all over you. That's not good for you; and it won't help them either. But don't strike back at them with vengeance (Vengeance is mine, says the Lord). Face up to them prudently but fearlessly, while giving them the benefit of the doubt that, perhaps, they do act out of ignorance.
Seek to acquire our Lord's patience and kindness, His charity and tolerance, His understanding and gentleness.
If this one's a stretch for you, join the club. The idea of responding this way may seem beyond your pay grade. But don't let that stop you from trying.
In my own case, I ask for charity, patience, humility, and meekness every morning. I check in with how I did at the end of the day during my examination of conscience (among other things). I won't reveal my success ratio - more out of embarrassment than modesty - but I don't and won't let that stop me from trying.
As we conclude our discussion, we're also winding down the Easter Season. Depending on your diocese, you're either celebrating Ascension Thursday right now, or you will be this Sunday. After that, Pentecost, and we're back to what the new liturgical calendar calls "Ordinary Time."
Christ has risen! What better way to end our "Happy Easters" than with the determination to imitate Him Who rose from the dead that we might attain eternal happiness? Let's finish up with these final thoughts from Rev. Zimpfer:
"These qualities and many others are what we mean by the ‘spirit’ of Jesus. They do not come to us magically by conformity to some religious Rule or by set forms of prayer and practices, however good these may be in themselves. The spirit of Jesus comes only as our own personality merges, as it were, with that of Jesus, as we reflect in our daily conduct His ideal of living. When this desire to mold our exterior and interior living on the example of Jesus colors our day’s activities, we call the result virtue – or spirituality."
Finally, one last time...
"...we must strive to live and fight for truth as Jesus lived and fought for it; we must attack ignorance and sham as he attacked it, with no complacence in our own superiority, clearly seeing the difference between the sinner and the sin. We must develop courage and fearlessness in facing the harshness of men and their deep selfishness, preferring to see them as ignorant rather than as malicious. We must seek to acquire some of our Lord’s patience and kindness, His charity and tolerance, His understanding and gentleness.
Now let's take each in turn and consider howwe might apply each to the workplace.
Strive to live and fight for truth.
At it's most basic, think: an honest day's work. Repel any temptation or tendency to mislead or even exaggerate the value of your product or service, your work production, your skills, etc.
Attack ignorance and sham, with no complacence in our own superiority, seeing the difference between the sinner and the sin.
If you manage to be completely honest and forthright in your dealings, you'll likely be hyper-aware of those who aren't. You'll also likely see through those who exaggerate their capabilities and accomplishments. Since we live in a world where "self-love" is promoted, where people are encouraged to think highly of themselves rather than cultivate true humility, some of us lack the ability to ascertain our true worth. We've been raised to ignore our faults and focus on how wonderful we are. With our obsession with "self-esteem,", and consequent inability to recognize and accept our faults, it's easy to understand how ignorance can play a role in how we represent ourselves, as well as in our imperfect behavior. Of course, there's also the person who purposely misrepresents themselves and attempts to manipulate others to their own advantage. In either case, when you come across such people, acknowledge what they're doing wrong, but don't try to brand them as "bad." People who do bad things aren't necessarily bad people.
Develop courage and fearlessness in facing the harshness of men and their deep selfishness, preferring to see them as ignorant rather than as malicious.
On the other hand, the fact is some folks really do seem to do things with bad intentions. They may purposely direct their bad behavior at you. When necessary, pray for the courage to deal with them appropriately. You may have to confront them. Charity doesn't require that you back down and let them run all over you. That's not good for you; and it won't help them either. But don't strike back at them with vengeance (Vengeance is mine, says the Lord). Face up to them prudently but fearlessly, while giving them the benefit of the doubt that, perhaps, they do act out of ignorance.
Seek to acquire our Lord's patience and kindness, His charity and tolerance, His understanding and gentleness.
If this one's a stretch for you, join the club. The idea of responding this way may seem beyond your pay grade. But don't let that stop you from trying.
In my own case, I ask for charity, patience, humility, and meekness every morning. I check in with how I did at the end of the day during my examination of conscience (among other things). I won't reveal my success ratio - more out of embarrassment than modesty - but I don't and won't let that stop me from trying.
As we conclude our discussion, we're also winding down the Easter Season. Depending on your diocese, you're either celebrating Ascension Thursday right now, or you will be this Sunday. After that, Pentecost, and we're back to what the new liturgical calendar calls "Ordinary Time."
Christ has risen! What better way to end our "Happy Easters" than with the determination to imitate Him Who rose from the dead that we might attain eternal happiness? Let's finish up with these final thoughts from Rev. Zimpfer:
"These qualities and many others are what we mean by the ‘spirit’ of Jesus. They do not come to us magically by conformity to some religious Rule or by set forms of prayer and practices, however good these may be in themselves. The spirit of Jesus comes only as our own personality merges, as it were, with that of Jesus, as we reflect in our daily conduct His ideal of living. When this desire to mold our exterior and interior living on the example of Jesus colors our day’s activities, we call the result virtue – or spirituality."
Finally, one last time...
Happy Easter!
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