Daily Reflection
October 26, 2025

We are becoming more acquainted with the term and reality of “Artificial Intelligence, A.I. for short. I listened to a report this week about young persons having romantic relationships with their A.I. partners. I attended a funeral recently where one of the family recited a poem about a family member composed, yup, by this amazing, but frightening process.

In the Gospel for today’s Sacred Liturgy we have the parable about two men who go into the temple “to pray”. The first fellow found his usual place and apparently his usual way to speak “to himself”. What he promoted was a litany of his ritual actions. He has been performing this and that and feels quite good about what he has said to and about himself. I would offer that he is experiencing Artificial Intimacy, religious exaltation.

The second man, knowing himself as a “sinner” expresses his condition in Actual Intimacy. He knows himself as not having performed the ritual requirements according to the law as did the man up front. This man is a “tax collector” of whom there could be no worse. He is collecting taxes for the dominating Roman government, probably skims off the top and spends his ill-gotten profits, unprofitably. Jesus sends him home humbled and comforted by his Adult Intimacy the other, the first fellow left him alone exalting himself in his Adulterated Insights.

Here is a ponderable. We tend to relate with God, Jesus, the way we generally relate with others. When greeted by others they would say, ”Hello, how are you?” We respond with equal conventional words, “Fine, how are you?” Often, when students here on campus ask me about how “it’s goin” I ask them what’s the “It” that is “goin”. “How are you doin?” they ask and I respond “How am I “doin” what?” I know, but it’s fun, it stops them from treating me in a “usual” way; I desire, most times, a real, less plastic, Actual Interaction. (I know I’m a little nuts, but it’s also engaging).

Artificial Intimacy with God and with others begins with not really being present, being really there. Actual Intimacy depends on firstly being intimate with ourselves. I ask myself sincere questions about how I am doing, feeling, and thinking. This is definitely not exalting myself, but waiting humbly for my true answers. Intimacy begins with self-honesty and acceptance, and that is not always “fun”. The first man in today’s parable was honest about his external, but not in touch with his internal. The sinner was quite honest about both his interior and how he had been living externally.

When starting my own morning-prayer time, I do ask myself if I am here yet. I have my mug of tea set, but often I am not set, not available for encountering myself, my truth, in the presence of the All-loving Infinite Love Who waits for me to catch up with my reality. God never waits; even my waking up to my truth is God’s Active Intensity. To be honest, sometimes I do not get there, not present, not really awake. God is Always Intimate and Actively involved.

When we are honest, we will be more easily available to the truths of others and the truths of our days. When we are plastic, we are protective. When we are “there,” we are vulnerable and receptive. God is more intimate with us than we can ever be with ourselves. The man of the parable in the back of the temple was available to his truth, and Jesus, as always, was available to the fellow’s own Truth, and the two truths met. The Pharisee said a lot of words of self-exaltation; Jesus said words of healing humility.

I have written these words with Angelic Inspiration. That’s how I want to embrace life when I am “there” really.