THROUGH UNTRUE

The proliferation of beauty pageants underscores a fundamental shift in our understanding of beauty. To many people, beauty is no longer merely a desirable human quality or trait but something that can be bought or sold. Countless individuals spend valuable time and resources in their quest to emulate beauty contestants, investing in products and procedures to eliminate facial blemishes and correct physical defects. Many also endure painful surgeries and "lifts" to combat the effects of gravity and aging.

“There are no ugly women; only lazy ones.” With this statement, Helena Rubinstein, the founder of a famous cosmetics empire, has persuaded many people that beauty depends on the effort one exerts to acquire it and the money one spends to maintain and enhance it. So, today, men and women undertake arduous rituals to meet beauty pageant standards, each ritual necessitating the purchase of specific products. No wonder, the cosmetics industry has become one of the most profitable industries in our era.

I once read about a socialite who spent a fortune trying to maintain her beautiful face and body. When she died at the age of 82, her friends approached her coffin, and one remarked: “She looks prettier now than when I met her 10 years ago.” Tragic, isn't it? She died trying to become the most beautiful corpse her friends had ever seen.

The fashion industry exacerbates the commodification of beauty by featuring models with flawless skin, symmetrical body and facial features, and ultra-slim figures. This practice not only excludes a diverse range of body shapes and sizes but also fosters a culture of body shaming and dissatisfaction among women unable to conform to this narrow ideal.

Unrealistic beauty standards in movies and television have also perpetuated   stereotypes that reinforce societal biases against certain ethnic groups and people with disabilities who are marginalized or entirely omitted from mainstream media.

At the heart of this excessively profitable beauty cult and fashion industry lies the misguided belief that falling short of contemporary beauty standards renders one unlovable. 

The Advent season serves as a timely reality check against this mindset, reminding us that we are intrinsically beautiful, created in God's image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). The First Reading for today reaffirms this: "You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand" (Isaiah 64:8). Each of us reflects the indescribable allure of God's beauty and the pristine order in the universe. 

Unfortunately, we have tarnished God's image within us through sin. Advent encourages us to acknowledge that physical blemishes and defects do not diminish the inherent beauty that God has bestowed upon us. It is sin that makes us ugly. 

At its core, sin is a disorder. It goes against the natural order of goodness and virtue God has ordained for us. It disrupts the equilibrium of our moral compass, leading to internal turmoil that impacts our mental health, relationships, well-being, and even our appearance. Worse, when we sin, we deliberately cut our connection with God. This is why Advent is a time to repent and seek God's grace that will restore our harmonious relationship with Him.

St. Thomas Aquinas once wrote: "Beauty is the splendor of order." This means that aligning our lives with right values and moral principles fosters a sense of self-worth that transcends external validation. Our moral integrity projects a beautiful aura that extends beyond physical appearances, drawing others toward us. Conversely when our life is chaotic due to wrong priorities, we become as ugly as sin.

I remember Mother Teresa, who never won any beauty contests but whose life exuded a splendor that many people found irresistible. By the way she lived, giving priority to serving God and others, she proved that a well-ordered life is the true source of authentic and inspiring beauty.