Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash
I was reflecting upon the familiar Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday, from Matthew 6:1-6,16-18, and it struck me that Jesus was speaking out against how people wanted those around them to hear and see how virtuous they are. There were those who, when they threw many coins down the trumpet-like containers located within the synagogue, gave the impression that they were so generous in giving to the poor. There were those who loved to stand up at the front of the synagogue and say their prayers loudly so that others would be given the impression that they were so prayerful. (Remember the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican.) Then, there were those who, because of their fasting, would look drawn and haggard and give the appearance of being very religious.
But what Jesus was saying to his disciples, “Don’t boast to others about how virtuous you are. Only God needs to know. Make your donations in secret. Go to your room and quietly pray. Don’t make it obvious that you are fasting.”
This led me to reflect upon almsgiving, prayer and fasting in our modern world. Are these acts of virtue visible or audible in our own times? They certainly are!
Here in Aotearoa-New Zealand, there are 28,000 registered charities. Almsgiving is big business. People will even go online to check out whether a charity can provide a receipt that enables the donor to receive a one third tax rebate. To be fair, however, it does indicate that New Zealanders are very generous in supporting charities. Still, it is not secret and there are people who boast of how much they give in support of particular charities.
Throughout the United States, there are more than 100 Christian TV stations. Besides that, many stations and channels also devote many hours to broadcasting religious services. You can just about turn on a channel at any time of day and hear people praying or preaching loudly and proudly. These people aren’t retreating to the quiet and privacy of their rooms to offer praise and thanks to God.
What is now popular and even big business for some is fasting! There are apps devoted to helping people fast. You learn what are the appropriate recipes and time schedules that enables you to lose weight. Admittedly, most of these probably have little to do with religion and more to do with appearances, helping people to look slim and attractive. Still, it speaks of a world where it seems that increasing numbers of people are committing themselves to openly fasting.
So, these acts of virtue – almsgiving, prayer and fasting – appear to be very visible and public in our modern world.
However, I think we need to place these in the broader context. These acts of apparent virtue are often confined to the privacy of our homes. And when we look at the broader picture, we can see that in many ways our lives have become more confined to small or narrow spaces. Many people now work from home. We can do our shopping online. We can even consult our doctor and receive our medicine online. Access to entertainment is online. We can even order our meals to be delivered to our homes.
Does this mean we are doing what Jesus expects of us? Hardly!
Put it this way, no hand is going reach out through the television screen and mark you with ashes.
The first reading for Ash Wednesday, from Joel 2:12-18, speaks about sounding the trumpet to declare a fast. This is not about blowing our trumpet in boasting about our almsgiving, prayer or fasting. It is rather about giving witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. The ashes are a visible expression of our commitment to undergo repentance and renewal during Lent.
Now this brings me to another thing about our modern world. There is plenty of evidence to show that more people are experiencing depression and anxiety in our modern world than ever before in history. We live in a stress-filled world. Many seek not just relief from stress but purpose in life.
What we are called to do is witness to our faith in such a way that we offer hope and meaning to people who feel lost and afraid. That is what Lent is about.
We don’t boast about our faith and the ways we live out our faith. Still, we witness to our faith through giving in support of those in need, through prayer offered to God for the sake of those who ask for our prayers, and through fasting and self-sacrifice. We do all this quietly and with a smile. After all, God sees and understands and rewards us with peace of mind and heart.
There’s something about those ashes though. More people come to the Ash Wednesday service than any other Christian service, even those of other faiths or no religious faith at all. There’s something about acknowledging who we are – “you are dust and to dust you shall return” – and finding hope beyond death. It is a powerful form of witness in a world desperately in need of hope and peace.
Fr Tom Rouse - Regional Councillor of Oceania
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