Magnificence vs. megalomania

WE need to distinguish the two, for they can look alike and yet are very different, if not opposed to each other. One is a virtue, the other is a sickness. One has the substance, the other only has the appearance.

In our current world environment where we are constantly bombarded by sheer and confusing images and sound bites, thanks and no thanks to our tremendous new technologies, it’s crucial that we know how to identify the genuine from the fake.

We should never forget that our life is always an arena for the battle between good and evil, truth and falsehood, and the forces behind can be many and can indulge in the most subtle and deceiving of ways. In the end, we need to choose whether we are with God or we simply want to be with our own selves.

Magnificence is the bigness of heart that is filled with real love for God and souls and that spurs us to action, to heroic action to pursue grand projects or to tackle arduous trials and challenges.

Our earthly life unavoidably involves these kinds of situations. For us to progress not only spiritually but also materially, we need to launch into great adventures and go after some noble if daunting exploits.

It includes patience, understanding, magnanimity, mercy, tolerance, as well as daring, foresight, enthusiasm. It does not shrink from the great cost nor shy away from the immense, even punishing effort that an undertaking or challenge may require as long that endeavour is viewed as truly worthwhile.

It is done always in the spirit of love, of self-giving and genuine service to others. But it’s done always with charity, never in bitter zeal, and it is always attentive to the little things even as it is focused on the big goal it’s trying to reach.

It is open to the possibility of human failure and the predicaments of frustration, but in its core it will always burn with hope and optimism, considering setbacks only as temporary and even as stimulus to go on.

We can even say that magnificence is the virtue that enables one to dance very intimately with God in his providence. He is aware that his projects, trials and challenges are not simply for him alone to face, but always with God, the alpha and omega of our life.

Megalomania, on the other hand, is an obsession that starts with a twisted motive in us. It wants to play big, it wants to be the hero, but is unwilling to base and orient is aspirations properly, that is, God and souls.

It is vulnerable to simply play games, and is very much averse to encountering contradictions and setbacks. It often deteriorates to bitter zeal and self-righteousness. It is also prone to be reckless and unattentive to little details.

There is, of course, the kind that is willing to go to some extremes, and that’s why it can be very admirable. But its propelling motive is deficient and in time—sometimes it can take centuries—it will just collapse.

Its inherent infirmity cannot be hidden for long, and has a natural dynamics to erode whatever facade of success it can create. We can see this in those grand ideological projects that attempted to make a human earthly paradise without God. Its archetype is the biblical Tower of Babel.

It’s important that we know how to distinguish between magnificence and megalomania. For this, we always need to examine our conscience, to rectify our intentions, and to see to it that we are always aware that the undertaking we are pursuing is done always in the presence of God.

We should never presume that everything is all right just because we seem to feel good. Big things tend to put us in a state of exhilaration and exciting suspense, but these are never sure indicators that we are doing the right thing.

We need to make deliberate effort to root our efforts on love for God and souls. This effort in itself can require heroism because especially at a certain point of success, we tend to get intoxicated and start to see things differently.

We have to be wary always of this possibility. And that’s why it’s also good that we infuse our sense of magnificence with an ever deepening humility that would lead to do a lot of things while passing unnoticed and refusing to receive honors and privileges.

It’s no accident that Christ washed the apostles’ feet before taking on the grandest act of love by offering his life on the cross.

WE need to distinguish the two, for they can look alike and yet are very different, if not opposed to each other. One is a virtue, the other is a sickness. One has the substance, the other only has the appearance.

In our current world environment where we are constantly bombarded by sheer and confusing images and sound bites, thanks and no thanks to our tremendous new technologies, it’s crucial that we know how to identify the genuine from the fake.

We should never forget that our life is always an arena for the battle between good and evil, truth and falsehood, and the forces behind can be many and can indulge in the most subtle and deceiving of ways. In the end, we need to choose whether we are with God or we simply want to be with our own selves.

Magnificence is the bigness of heart that is filled with real love for God and souls and that spurs us to action, to heroic action to pursue grand projects or to tackle arduous trials and challenges.

Our earthly life unavoidably involves these kinds of situations. For us to progress not only spiritually but also materially, we need to launch into great adventures and go after some noble if daunting exploits.

It includes patience, understanding, magnanimity, mercy, tolerance, as well as daring, foresight, enthusiasm. It does not shrink from the great cost nor shy away from the immense, even punishing effort that an undertaking or challenge may require as long that endeavour is viewed as truly worthwhile.

It is done always in the spirit of love, of self-giving and genuine service to others. But it’s done always with charity, never in bitter zeal, and it is always attentive to the little things even as it is focused on the big goal it’s trying to reach.

It is open to the possibility of human failure and the predicaments of frustration, but in its core it will always burn with hope and optimism, considering setbacks only as temporary and even as stimulus to go on.

We can even say that magnificence is the virtue that enables one to dance very intimately with God in his providence. He is aware that his projects, trials and challenges are not simply for him alone to face, but always with God, the alpha and omega of our life.

Megalomania, on the other hand, is an obsession that starts with a twisted motive in us. It wants to play big, it wants to be the hero, but is unwilling to base and orient is aspirations properly, that is, God and souls.

It is vulnerable to simply play games, and is very much averse to encountering contradictions and setbacks. It often deteriorates to bitter zeal and self-righteousness. It is also prone to be reckless and unattentive to little details.

There is, of course, the kind that is willing to go to some extremes, and that’s why it can be very admirable. But its propelling motive is deficient and in time—sometimes it can take centuries—it will just collapse.

Its inherent infirmity cannot be hidden for long, and has a natural dynamics to erode whatever facade of success it can create. We can see this in those grand ideological projects that attempted to make a human earthly paradise without God. Its archetype is the biblical Tower of Babel.

It’s important that we know how to distinguish between magnificence and megalomania. For this, we always need to examine our conscience, to rectify our intentions, and to see to it that we are always aware that the undertaking we are pursuing is done always in the presence of God.

We should never presume that everything is all right just because we seem to feel good. Big things tend to put us in a state of exhilaration and exciting suspense, but these are never sure indicators that we are doing the right thing.

We need to make deliberate effort to root our efforts on love for God and souls. This effort in itself can require heroism because especially at a certain point of success, we tend to get intoxicated and start to see things differently.

We have to be wary always of this possibility. And that’s why it’s also good that we infuse our sense of magnificence with an ever deepening humility that would lead to do a lot of things while passing unnoticed and refusing to receive honors and privileges.

It’s no accident that Christ washed the apostles’ feet before taking on the grandest act of love by offering his life on the cross.

By: Fr. Roy Cimagala

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