Self-Interest is Inadequate

Self-Interest is Inadequate 

From the time of the Enlightenment to today, the concept of self-interest has come to dominate every narrative in the world – from economics to politics to theology.  Both capitalism and communism operate under the narrative of self-interest.  We measure all things political by national self-interest or the self-interest of the tribe.  And the toxic theology of merit came to dominate Catholic theology, promoting selfish pursuits of virtue.  Even those working for social justice are told that we must create narratives of self-interest for those peoples for whom we are assisting in order to create the social change we desire.

Sad it is that such an impoverished notion has come to dominate every known sphere of human activity and thought. 

For the follower of the Lord Jesus, the notion of self-interest is toxic and can have no place in our discernment or ministry.  If we are to be imitators of the Lord Jesus, for that is what we claim in taking the name Christian for ourselves, then we must reject the notion of self-interest just as he did.  “The Son of Man came to serve not to be served, and to give his life as a ransom for the many.”  “Whoever would follow me must deny himself and take up his cross.”  Those who would gain their life will lose it, and those who lose their life will gain it.” 

What was the self-interest of Jesus in coming to earth in order to suffer a cruel death for our sakes?  Nothing.  What was the self-interest of Jesus in healing the multitudes, feeding the masses, and defending the poor and marginalized?  Nothing.  When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, He told us that by this act he gave us an example:  “As I have done so also you must do.”  The action of washing feet is the most humble act of service one could provide another.  Not even a servant was required to do something so base.  And yet we are commanded to do as Jesus did:  to serve even in the most basest of ways. 

One of the weaknesses of Church advocacy is that in many cases it appears to smack of self-interest.  In advocating for school choice and vouchers, it appears as though our interest is more for our own institutions than for the poor who lack access to quality education.  In advocating for immigrants it can appear that we care for them merely because they are mostly Catholics and will thus fill our pews and collection plates.  In both cases such accusations may be false in many cases, but the fact that they exist at all means that we often do come across as concerned for our institutional self-interest more than the care of others which is our true mission.

The Church has held up for us a new virtue to emulate:  solidarity, defined as a firm and steady commitment to the common good.  As we approach Lent we are asked to fast, pray, and give alms.  Each act is designed to put us in solidarity with the poor.  In denying ourselves nourishment we come to identify with the many who do so on a daily basis because of injustice.  In giving away our treasure we come to identify with those who lack the basic necessities of life on a daily basis because of injustice.  In our prayer we come before God asking to lead us to a greater solidarity with the poor so that injustice may be overcome.

The Christian life is not about self-interest – either individual or institutional.  It is about forgetting ourselves to become Christ himself for the sake of others.  When we use the language of self-interest we immediately set up conflict and divisions that cannot be healed or overcome.  They only lead to greater conflict and war where one self-interested group defeats another, but the cycle continues endlessly because there will always be another group with a competing self-interest from the other. 

However, when we put aside notions of self-interest and replace them with solidarity and the common good, with service to others and forgetfulness of self, only then will we overcome conflict and divisions.  In today’s Gospel of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, Jesus asked his disciples to give him all that they had – five loaves and two fish.  After they had given all that they had, then – and only then – did the miracle occur and Jesus fed everyone.  There was no discussion of self-interest or class conflict.  There was instead the invitation to give of oneself so that a new and greater reality might take place in our midst.

Jesus calls us to that same task today.  He calls us to give all that we have for others.  The fact that injustice continues in the world is an indictment on us and not on God.  Have we (individually and institutionally) given all that we have?  Have we (individually and institutionally) forgotten ourselves?  Have we (individually and institutionally) committed ourselves to the virtue of solidarity?  The essays from Msgr. Ryan challenge us in this way, as do the Church’s documents on social questions.  We must discern anew each day, keeping in mind the Lord Jesus, the one we are called to imitate in applying to ourselves the name of Christian.