A Private Display of Affection
At some point today I expect to enter a public place and see a person with something like a dirt spot on his forehead, letting everyone around him know (for he cannot see it himself) that he maintains in his mind and in his heart a deep, abiding love for God.
It's Ash Wednesday; it's inevitable.
The irony, of course, is that the same person will have just come from a Christian worship service in which (it is likely) Jesus' seminal teaching on public display of affection was read. In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord says it this way: "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1).
The examples he uses are almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, but the teaching's wide application cannot be missed. You want heavenly rewards? Then practice your religion of love in secret, where only God can see. You want earthly rewards? Then display your affection publicly, for all the world to see.
That goes for giving alms, praying prayers, and keeping fasts. Oh, and it also goes for wearing ashes.
So maybe this year, I just might walk up to my brother and, as an act of love, remind him of the teaching. And when I do, I'll be sure to pull him aside privately. While helping him secure his heavenly reward, I wouldn't want to forfeit mine.
kyle
Reader Comments (1)
Hi Kyle,
Having just received your beautiful Christmas card and the invitation to read your thoughts at "impatientpriest" I'm happily here and would like to comment.
As you know I'm Catholic and as long as I can remember have received ashes on Ash Wednesday. The only thoughts I can ever remember having as I wore those ashes were: I'm a Catholic, I'm a sinner who needs Jesus and at some point I'm going to die and be judged and my body will return to dust. On some level it was humbling/humiliating to wear them publicly.
Since we pray publically in worship services and (in many Catholic churches drop our cash,checks and change into the "poor boxes" located at the exits of the church (in addition to what we've already put in the basket which was passed at the Offeratory) I'd say that some public prayer and almsgiving are accepable and appropriate. The problem as always is in the motivation of the person involved and who is to judge that but God Himself?
So, my friend, "...in order to be seen by them..." Matt. 6:1 is the tricky part of the Scripture. As Christians we would save ourselves and others a lot of trouble if we exercise charity and refrain from judging others' motivations...their "heart of hearts", a very sacred place.
Blessings and love in your ministry.
Sarah