An audience of one means our actions and work, what we say and do, are for the Lord, Bishop Kevin Kenney said.
“The only one who needs to give recognition is the Lord for what we’ve done. That’s what it is we’re all looking for, so that on the day we’re called home, we get those words, ‘Welcome home good and faithful servant;’ that what we have done is serve the Lord all of our lives,” Bishop Kenney said on the “Practicing Catholic” radio program set to debut at 9 p.m. Aug. 1 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Bishop Kenney said he was brought up and taught to do good deeds without drawing attention to himself. He said we shouldn’t expect to be repaid for anything, and we shouldn’t expect compliments.
“(Compliments) do come, and they do help once in a while, but the whole sense is what we do we’re doing for others; we’re doing (it) for the Lord,” Bishop Kenney said. “What it does is it draws us out of ourselves. … Sometimes we do look for that affirmation. But the point of it is it’s up to the Holy Spirit.”
Bishop Kenney gave an example of giving a homily. What touches people’s hearts might not be what he said, but how the Holy Spirit spoke to them in their interpretation of his words, Bishop Kenney said.
“What we do, we do from our hearts, what God has given to us,” Bishop Kenney said. “But then we allow the Holy Spirit to take it from there. … Jesus is a great example to us of just humbly going about doing his work serving people, healing people, praying with people and teaching people, especially his apostles and disciples, to do it in a humble way that doesn’t draw attention to yourself, but gives the glory to God.”
Bishop Kenney believes a need for appreciation can stem from self-doubt.
“We need that approval to say, ‘That was good’ or ‘I’m worthy,’” Bishop Kenney said. “But when you live your life in a way that you know God’s grace is there, what does it matter? What you’re doing is what you’re called to do and to love God and love your neighbor. Well, if I’m not loving my neighbor so then I feel guilty and it’s like, ‘OK, for God’s approval, I’m going to make my donation of $100 to some organization so I feel better and God’s going to be happy because of that.’ Well, it’s not to make me feel better. It’s to give what I have. It’s looking within to say, why do I doubt myself?”
Bringing our decisions to prayer, Bishop Kenney said, is important in deciding whether what we do is for public acclaim or for God.
“Begin the day, just say, ‘OK Lord, let me do your will today,’” Bishop Kenney said. “As the Our Father (said): ‘Your will be done, your Kingdom come.’ That we’re doing God’s will rather than my own will. And that is hard. … We all have it, that grace. God planted the seed in our hearts many, many years ago. The whole sense is how we open our hearts to doing God’s will and allowing the Kingdom to come about through us.”
To hear the full interview with radio show host Patrick Conley, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. Aug. 2 and 2 p.m. Aug. 3.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes an interview with Lacy Apfelbeck, founder of Edge of the Red Sea Ministries in St. Francis, who shares ways to feel secure amidst uncertainty and instability. Also, Mike Rios-Keating, director of culture and belonging at Catholic Charities in the Twin Cities, discusses how the organization’s summer programs help those struggling with heat, hunger and hardship.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
