We observe that the number of the shiny materials around increased by the day, so to speak. The Narcissistic growth of the world society into this display did not start a long time ago. Dear friend, just look around and say what you see! Very often, our own image would be seen, reflected by myriads of objects, vehicles and larger entities such as shiny parts of modern buildings. The very mind set of the builder (!) which brings these constructions of all shapes is adding up the very glistening and reflecting surfaces present in a bus or a train. There is also at least one mirror in every car, for the ‘use’ of the occupants. Clearly, we are not naming the side or rear view mirrors, found in any vehicle.

It is interesting to note that the mirror was never needed in a patriarchal society, because the look of any given man or woman could be reflected by the loved ones, who would be so happy to fix any ‘error’ in the look. The reason for having a mirror in the bathroom, today, is for men to shave their beards and for women to fix their appearances so that they would look ‘better’. Normally, about one hundred of years ago such descriptions were not possible in most lands of this earth…

The refined surfaces that we are surrounded by are showing a great reflection, mirroring ourselves: sunglasses, screens, and plastic or glass objects. “As bright as a button” as an expression defining an intelligent or smart little person, is to be replaced with “as bright as poisonous food cover”, because the button itself does not stand out on anything, and one would not praise somebody else’s cleverness. The button of the old was made of some precious materials: gold, silver, and glossy copper. Nowadays, if keen to collect junk and garbage, one has to spot the glitter of things spread all over on nature strips or on pavement. In the same time, the glitter man of today is linked to all types of sinful activities of the ‘mirror’: spectacles of idolatry, child molestation, wrappings of poisonous goods and drinks, pornography and vainglory.

We all should be looking for the Right Model, but the image of the day is always our own distorted figure, because we try to imitate what is shown, a ‘pleasing’ process of transformation towards self worshiping. Out of this simulation, we can wake up in unexpected and ugly circumstances: how could I do such things? The mirror which I used, to modify myself to that extent, was not the Icon of Christ, His Mother and His Saints, but my own fallen image that I worshiped for so long…