Do you remember the last time you used the word “ostentatious” in a sentence? I would guess it has been a while – it has for me. It’s not a word that is often heard. But it is a great word and the very sound of it defines its meaning for which synonyms would be, “pretentious, showy, flamboyant.”
To define someone as “ostentatious” is a kind of back-handed criticism. Let me just say that people who lust for attention and do all they can to be noticed by others, have already had their reward. Such pretentious behavior has the opposite affect intended – rather than wanting to be noticed, such behavior is best avoided and in fact appears comical. Are clowns “ostentatious?” Yes, but deliberately so. They make us laugh because of their exaggerated gestures, silly dress, and painted faces. Probably the best thing about that is they make us laugh at ourselves when we try to be more than what we are meant to be.
Jesus had something to say about ostentatious behavior. He didn’t like it and basically told his disciples to avoid such performance. This Wednesday’s Gospel may sound familiar. Taken from Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18 (further lessons from the Sermon on the Mount) is the same Gospel used for Ash Wednesday. But this is Ordinary Time isn’t it? Yes, of course but it never hurts to hear these lessons over and over again. I for one need a constant reminder and this is the classroom of Christian discipleship we are in.
So, what Jesus says about ostentatious behavior is not complementary. “When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets to win the praise of others . . .” Ah, those Pharisees are in for it again with Jesus: “hypocrites.” Here they come. Look at me, blow the horn to get others’ attention, tell me how generous I am to the poor (giving of alms). Sound grandiose?
What are Jesus’ followers to do? “When you give alms, do not let your right hand know what your left is doing.” Why? “Your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Give but be a humble, unnoticed giver.
Our Lord had more to say both about prayer and fasting. When we pray, “. . . go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret . . .” I can do that! It seems that Jesus is not saying to avoid praying with others. But, the "inner room" he speaks of is a place within our hearts where we can touch God.
What about those clowns outside who, “. . . love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them . . .” Did you ever not only want to be holy but want to look holy? What does holy look like? We go around with our eyes closed and our hands folded as we speak softly to others? – “Don’t disturb me, can’t you see I’m praying!”
As priest, I never have to worry about where I’m going to sit in the Church. I’ll always have a seat. But the folks in the pews, well we are creatures of habit for sure. If you walked in, genuflect, and dutifully go to “your” seat in the pews, then find someone else sitting there – what do you say or think? “This is my seat!” Hmmm, did you buy it? Is your name carved on the pew? Have you sat there so long that it is now form fit? Squatter’s rights!
What Jesus has to say about ostentation and fasting is perhaps the most comical or clown like. Clowns paint their faces in order to elicit a reaction and to be noticed by others. They likely will paint a big red smile on their face – makes us laugh with them and at their silly behavior. Or, they may paint a frown; look sad which will also create an emotion on our part.
About fasting Jesus says, “. . . do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, they neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting . . .” But when you fast, “. . . anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” Sounds pretty clear to me. Sacrifice because it is a means of spiritual discipline not a time to win the Oscar!
The lesson is beautiful here. As important as our religious practices and devotions are to us, the point is that we may be changed by the grace of God and not to be noticed by others. Of course, when we gather for our public liturgies, we are gathered with a crowd of hundreds. What about “those” people? We can’t help but be noticed – or can we?
As we come in to the summer months, how often do you look at how people are dressed? “He shouldn’t be wearing shorts. Look at that woman’s blouse. Those kids should never be wearing blue jeans to Mass. Those pants are too tight, those shorts are too short. Blah, blah, blah.”
I agree that often times, especially in the summer months, people should be more conscious of what they wear. The ever popular Saturday evening Mass may indicate what folks were doing about thirty minutes before they arrived at Church. But, parents of teenagers in particular, try mightily to compel their children to come to Mass at all cost. Thank God they are there – we can work on the dress in stage two of their formation. I never heard that Jesus had a dress code! Yet, appropriate dress is an issue and modesty and cleanliness is a discussion worth having.
The point of all this is of course that we are called to be humble servants of the Lord. Ostentation, pretentiousness, pomposity, and constantly being concerned about our appearance before others have no place in the Christian life. I wonder how often Mother Teresa thought about what makeup she would wear: “What ever will the poor think of me?” Or, was Francis of Assisi concerned about his beard or combing his hair properly or the color of his tunic?
While we do need to be hygienic and presentable to others, for we don’t want people to run away from us and avoid our company because we never brush our teeth or take a shower, to be obsessively concerned about such things is not healthy and we may venture to say, is somewhat un-Christian. To pass judgment upon others merely from their outward appearance is petty.
Jesus’ words on prayer, giving alms, and fasting are meant to promote good example to others. But, humility, generosity, gentleness, and reverence for the other is far more attractive than pomposity or ostentatious behavior. In fact, I would be drawn to imitate what I see on the one hand and avoid the other. The fruit of our prayer and charitable giving is grown from the grace of God quietly moving in our hearts. If we are authentic, believable disciples of Jesus Christ, then we simply go about our business, do good and avoid evil, be humble in our prayer and generous in our giving but do not count the cost.
It’s all about an attitude, unless you want to be a clown in the circus!
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