You're So Vain

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

“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."

“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and the street

corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

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“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them.”

There’s a reason this is the first words we hear from Christ this Lent. More than any other season, this is a time to be self-aware about our own piety. Give something up, yes. But not for the sake of telling your friends and family about how difficult it is. Do it for purpose of furthering your relationship with Christ. You cut something out of your life during this penitential season, in order to make more room in your life for Him.
It sounds cliché to talk about vain piety. Nobody thinks they are being vain when they are talking about their penances, or whatever Lenten challenges are. And I think most people aren’t trying to be. And by all means, don’t hesitate to seek support in your Lenten penances from your friends and family. None of us are alone in Christ. We are all on this journey of faith together. But if you find yourself talking casually with friends or coworkers about what you are doing this Lent, take a second to reflect on why. Am I sounding the trumpet before myself? Am I disfiguring my face so as to be noticed?

Even seeing me broach this topic must make me seem a hypocrite. I mean, here I am, writing a very public blog series in Lent, talking about how our Lenten practices ought to be done in solemn silence. Is this not merely me standing and praying on the street corner? And it’s true that I struggle a great deal with vanity. But Jesus is not saying to hide your piety at all times. Jesus gave alms very publicly, he prayed very publicly, and he lived a very public ministry. St. Paul wrote to entire churches about his own pious deeds. There is a difference between vanity and faithful love and support. We aren’t to withdraw within ourselves, hiding our faith and relationship with Christ from the world. We are a Church, first and foremost, and that means turning to each other for guidance, support, and even correction when we falter. We ought not to be braggarts, but we also ought not to be islands.

This is something I am trying to be much more aware of in my own life. It’s easy to find yourself only on the two extreme poles of isolation and pride. Lent is the perfect time to focus on finding that “golden mean”. So when you find yourself chatting with friends, family, coworkers, postal workers, pizza delivery folks, overseas tech support, or whoever else about what you’re doing this Lent, take a second to reflect on why you’re doing anything in the first place. Take a second to reflect on Christ.