We are often told to ‘just be yourself’.  Be authentic.  Arguably the worst advice you can receive. What does it ‘really’ mean to be authentic in our western, capitalistic, and individualistic world?

In his book ‘Sources of the Self’ Canadian philosopher and Catholic, Charles Taylor charts the rise of the Authenticity ideal. According to ‘the ideal’, my authentic self only emerges when I extract myself from the traditions that formed me like family, church, and school and thereby discover the real me.  I only ever attribute ‘authenticity’ to something or someone when it aligns with or resonates with my inner self, my thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.  

According to this model, prayer is only authentic when it comes out of my authentic self. When it emotionally resonates with my inner self.  All other prayer is inauthentic. There goes the prayer book!

While there are truths in ‘the ideal’, for Taylor, authenticity only emerges through a dialogue between ourselves, others and the traditions which have formed us.

Today, Jesus teaches us to pray and, in doing so, teaches us who we authentically are. The Lord’s prayer isn’t something that comes out of ourselves or necessarily emotionally resonates with us. It’s prayer that Jesus teaches us.  It comes from beyond us, sits within the Hebrew tradition and extends that tradition. This prayer invites us to address God as ‘Abba’ father … daddy.  This prayer invites profound emotional intimacy with God. As we pray this prayer, and dialogue with it, we discover who we authentically are …  children of God and not pagans who babble.   

Let us pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven …

By Deacon Paul Jensen