Pleasing God or Pleasing Men?

Let’s be honest about priorities for a moment. From the moment we awake we are faced with choices of whom to please. From our family and friends to employers and coworkers, we constantly walk a tight rope of tension, hoping at all costs to please those around us.

I recall a mentor’s advice when I was a much younger priest. He challenged me on ‘why’ I thought I should call a parishioner. Did I want to ‘be known’ as the priest who cared enough to call, or did I really care about the parishioner? Who was I trying to please as a priest?

Brethren, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not in vain; but though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the face of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from error or uncleanness, nor is it made with guile; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never used either words of flattery, as you know, or a cloak for greed, as God is witness; nor did we seek glory from men, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse taking care of her children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our very own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

1^st Thessalonians 2.1-8

In today’s letter from Saint Paul to the Thessalonians, we see whom he was working to please. His entire work and ministry were to please God and not any human being. In fact, we know he was not pleasing to many elite leaders, even being tortured, but they were not his priority.

It can be difficult to choose God over our friends, family and coworkers, since we’re being honest today. After all, they are the people we ‘see’ every day. We may say our prayers and even attend services in the Church, but we rarely ‘see’ God, so we choose to please others.

Admitting that we choose the wrong priority doesn’t ‘get us off the hook’ for the choice, but it does give us an awareness of the work ahead of us. The Nativity Fast, coming in just a few days, is just the opportunity for us to make another choice. We can choose God if we want.

Choosing God doesn’t mean ignoring others. On the contrary, choosing God means serving others and loving others, but not working to please them. If we haven’t figured it out yet, we are always just ‘one choice’ away from being cast away from them. God never sends us away.

By the way, I chose not to call the parishioner. I realized I was calling for my reputation and not because I cared. Instead, I worked to build a real relationship with the parishioner and learned to care. I often recall that day as a challenge not only to my priesthood but to my soul.

Whether it is posting on social media or sending a private message, today I invite you to challenge yourself. Are you working to please men or to please God? Posting on social media won’t change anyone’s heart either way. At least your choice should please God.