Searching for Authenticity

A priest professor writes about authenticity in the Catholic Times and begins by telling the readers about the happiness he experienced in seeing the Pope and President Moon on TV. They have been named influential leaders by Time magazine because of their authenticity which differs from some of the old leaders. Both have suffered crises and severe trials in their lives but ultimately are sharing God's life and giving joy and hope to the world.
 
Modern society is often called "the era of authenticity". Today, all religions teach "the journey of a full life is to find oneself." It's not adopting the ways of another but to discover in daily life what is inside. In the journey one searches for the authentic self, values, feelings, and one's personal meaning of life, in one's own way. At times it's an adventure— rejection, mistakes, learning experience, failure and pain are all there.
 
However, 'authenticity' opens the way to 'reflection and learning'  and between the light and darkness, life is experienced and examined. One tastes the qualitative difference of living in comfort, safety, and with the worldly success that comes from living only with the expectations of others, and the spiritual dimension of life in all its depth when living authentically.
 
Today, as we live life with uncertainty and suffering from the infinite competition of the Neo-liberal market system, it is easy to be drawn to the standards of a materialistic world order. Where do I fit in when education, money, appearances, all the exterior qualities are held in high esteem? Money and utility are the dimensions of life that will predict the future. Where in this kind of world do I have time to understand who I am and discover the important values of life?
 
The writer introduces us to the BTS band and their recent song "love yourself, love myself." He considers it a worldly version of the Gospel. They give words to their fatigue, trials, frustrations, mistakes, and failures ... It's no coincidence that young people all over the world are enthusiastic about the message of hope, love, and faith that delivers their "authentic" stories.

Aren't the happiest moments in life those when I begin to know myself? We know spiritual joy. We find ourselves in swamp-like conditions at times and overcome by strong desires and because of the unrest we feel insides, living authentically becomes difficult. However, when we look at our inner world with the loving gaze of God that loves us as we are we can discover authenticity in our deepest desire.

It would be great if the young students who are struggling to prepare for entrance examinations and the young people who are preparing for employment were able to see themselves as God sees them. No matter whether one does well in the tests or not, regardless of grades, each is of great worth and when one tastes the true meaning of life in Him, new vigor is regained.

Our church can also bear fruit when we find and testify to 'authenticity'. Modern society no longer respects external authority. The Church needs to witness to a new gospel with spiritual and inner authority just like Jesus Christ. Before we demand obedience to the church tradition, we ask for grace that we can find and mercifully accompany each one of those we meet as a truly precious being. We give glory to God when we live in this authentic way.