So as the audacious interloper I said, "Let's do something together and let's do it my way." My colleagues were gracious and generous and agreed to an ash-positive Anglican service. I was delighted to have my cake and eat it too.
But the gospel text from Matthew 6 appointed for every Ash Wednesday seems to challenge my appreciation of the black-smudged foreheads of the day. In his sermon on the mount, Jesus warns us of "practicing your righreousness before other people to be seen by them." And he gives us three examples of what not to do.
The first is that we are not to "sound a trumpet" when we give to the needy, but rather that our giving would be so discreet that our left hand does not know what our right hand is doing. Showing off our generosity is common. Almost every arts event I have ever attended has included some list of names of patrons. We like people to know that we give to a good cause. But always in these programs there are a few lines that simply say "Anonymous" and I am thankful for the reminder of Jesus' exhortation.
There are other types of showy generosity, one to which I am rather prone - picking up the check. Someone reminded me of this earlier today when he bought me breakfast. "You are always paying for these things so let me." I realize that I am practicing my righteousness before men even in writing this. I picked up some C.S. Lewis volume on my shelf not long ago (I remember not which one) which convicted me on this front. Lewis, in his direct fashion, makes the point that the ones who benefit from this kind of generosity rarely are the poor who truly need it. Would in not be better to more discreetly provide nourishment for one who is lacking it? Indeed.
Jesus also suggests that when we pray we should not stand and pray in the synagogues and street corners. This is where our culture differs rather from first-century Palestine. If I were to stand on the street corner and pray, people would think me crazy not righteous. So does this one apply? Perhaps not with the general population but within our own Christian circles there are lots of "spiritual" things we might do that impress others. I am pretty sure that if one's devotional life is going well and is regular, it is something we should keep to ourselves - letting the fruit, not the fact of it bless others. Our faithful habit of prayer is just that, ours. Trumpeting it before others to impress them (as this is often our undeclared intent) usually only discourages others. There are better ways of encouraging people to lives of prayer than telling them how good mine is.
And when you fast... As well-fed North Americans we should carefully note that it is "when" not "if". When you fast do not make a show - looking gloomy and disfiguring your face. The show invites people to ask, "what's up with you today?", giving us an excellent opportunity to tell them of our spiritual discipline. "Anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:17&18)
This one in particular might suggest that the imposition of ashes at the beginning of Lent is a bad idea - isn't it showing off our pious repentance? Is it not literally disfiguring our face? It certainly can be a pious show. For this reason some provide a box of tissues at the back of the church for participants to rub off the smudge before going back out into the world.
Frankly I don't make a fuss about it either way. Because the wiping off of the ashes can be as much an external show of piety and holiness as the receiving of them in the first place. "Look at me, I really take Jesus' exhortation not to show off my righteousness before men - I removed the ashes."
On this one I come back to the notion of "empty ritual." We might legitimately receive the sign of ashes within a community of believers who together do the same because it acknowledges both my own fallen, sinful nature but also that of all of us, together. In this context the act is God-facing. There is significance in the sign when our heart is turned to God and not to those around us.
The practices of giving, praying and fasting are not universally impressive to those around us. While people may still be impressed by generous giving, overly public praying and fasting is more apt to make others uncomfortable. But there are other kinds of righteousness that are appreciated by those around us. It might not be religious righteousness. We may make a particular show that we are reducing our carbon footprint by composting and driving an electric car or by being a vocal teetotaler - "lips that touch liquor will never touch mine." There is nothing wrong with composting, driving a car which pollutes less or never drinking alcohol. Looking for congratualtions or reward from others for these choices is slightly shakier ground.
One last thought. I have usually thought that the point of this text is that "virtue is its own reward" - that we should do good things for the good itself, looking for no reward. But Jesus clearly says that we will receive a reward from our Father in heaven. I hasten to point out that the reward is not justification itself. Jesus does not suggest that those who show off their goodness are condemned, only that they have already received their reward. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Virtue may be its own reward, but there appears to be a bonus prize.
By the way, we continue to share Ash Wednesday service with those and other congregations. So yearly I still have my cake and eat it too.
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