Self-Reliance

Independence and individualism are key to modern life and to classic American culture.

However, in today’s Gospel (Jn. 5:17-30), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, repeatedly admits what would be shameful for many:

“I cannot do anything on my own.”

Christ, of course, is not saying he’s incompetent. Nor is this just Trinitarian Theology (pater et filius et spiritus sanctus sicut inseparabiles sunt, ita inseparabiliter operentur – Augustine, De Trinitate)


Why then does Christ say this? He gives part of the answer at the end:

Because I do not seek my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.

Our Lord is giving us an important example for our own lives.

We may consider ourselves self-reliant and independent, but everything we are and everything we do will ultimately fail or become meaningless if we always insist on going our own way.

Except the LORD build the house,
they labour in vain that build it:
except the LORD keep the city,
the watchman waketh but in vain.
Psalm 127:1

Our aim should not be self-reliance, but full and active cooperation with, in, and through God’s grace - subordinating our desires to God’s loving and bountiful will.

For the Father loves the Son
and shows him
everything that he himself does,
and he will show him
greater works than these,
so that you may be amazed.