10. You should not worry as much about what you do but rather about what you are.

People should not worry as much about what they do but rather about what they are. If they and their ways are good, then their deeds are radiant. If you are righteous, then what you do will also be righteous. We should not think that holiness is based on what we do but rather on what we are, for it is not our works which sanctify us but we who sanctify our works. Meister Eckhart
How curious. We always read and are taught the maxim that we say matters less than what we do because people watch our actions are far more intently than they the listen to our words. We also are taught that what we do defines who we are. This turns the whole premise around. If we are righteous, what we do will be righteous because holiness flows from holiness and goodness flows goodness.

This is backwards from what I believe. We are not righteous or holy in any sense of completeness because of our humanity. We are works of progress toward those goals but only if we make a daily choice to do so. When we learn to speak with holiness and act in a holy manner we come closer to what we desire but we will never be purely righteous until our imperfections are burned away by salvation.

There is however a recollection that differs from my argument. I read in a description of the ordained role of deacon is that ordination means the role is more about who a deacon is than what a deacon does. They represent a literal association with other deacons throughout history. It job that is not just about ministry here and now but through all time.

I need to reflect more on what Eckhart suggests in the quote. A priest is a priest always and not just when he is wearing a collar or vestments. Can I be righteous at all times or only when act that way?

When I serve as a chaplain I do so as a Catholic and a Christian. My services are motivated by a desire to serve him and what offer others is care, comfort and consolation that grows out of my faith and desire to serve. From that perspective my Christianity may very well sanctify my works. There is no doubt in my mind that trying to fill the shoes Eckhart has made for us is a very tall task but one worthy of effort.