The desire to be honored
The desire to be honored is one of the hardest chains to break because it disguises itself as virtue.
We want to be respected.
Recognised.
Admired for being “good.”
But St Francis understood something important: the ego can survive even inside holy things. A person can serve the Church and still secretly crave applause. Can speak about humility while starving for importance.
St Francis chose hiddenness because he feared becoming addicted to human praise more than human rejection. He knew this truth: the soul that needs to be honored by everyone will eventually betray its peace to keep their approval.
The world says:
“Make your name great.”
St Francis whispers from the silence of Assisi:
Die to the need of being seen.
Die to the addiction of admiration.
Die to the hunger for applause.
Because the purest souls are often the ones heaven notices while the world overlooks.
“From the desire of being honored, deliver me, Jesus.”
Some people carry crosses.
Others carry an image they are terrified to lose.
One brings holiness.
The other brings exhaustion.
We want to be respected.
Recognised.
Admired for being “good.”
But St Francis understood something important: the ego can survive even inside holy things. A person can serve the Church and still secretly crave applause. Can speak about humility while starving for importance.
St Francis chose hiddenness because he feared becoming addicted to human praise more than human rejection. He knew this truth: the soul that needs to be honored by everyone will eventually betray its peace to keep their approval.
The world says:
“Make your name great.”
St Francis whispers from the silence of Assisi:
Die to the need of being seen.
Die to the addiction of admiration.
Die to the hunger for applause.
Because the purest souls are often the ones heaven notices while the world overlooks.
“From the desire of being honored, deliver me, Jesus.”
Some people carry crosses.
Others carry an image they are terrified to lose.
One brings holiness.
The other brings exhaustion.