“When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the
hypocrites do…
When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites…
When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites…” Matthew
6:2, 5, 16
Hypocrisy is an ugly sin. Essentially, being a hypocrite is being a
fraud. The word itself comes from a Greek word referring to a mask
that actors wear to depict their character. The person behind the
mask would pretend that they were the person depicted by the mask.
Therefore, a hypocrite is one who pretends to be who they are
not.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus condemns those who give alms, pray and
fast for the wrong reasons. Their almsgiving is not done out of
charity and a desire to help, but out of an attempt to win the
praise of others. They babble prayers on the street corner in an
attempt to make others think they are holy. And when they fast,
they make sure that their appearance looks “gloomy” so that others
are impressed. Performing charitable works, praying and fasting are
certainly good actions. But these actions must be authentic.
Otherwise, they are not what they appear to be, and the one doing
them is nothing other than an actor wearing a mask of virtue.
As we begin our Lenten season, we are each invited to take off the
masks we wear so that the real person shines forth. We are
especially called to combat any spiritual hypocrisy we struggle
with for two important reasons. First, when people wear a mask of
holiness, pretending to be more virtuous than they are, they
sometimes end up even fooling themselves. Just as an actor may
become so caught up in their character that they temporarily take
on that character's thoughts and feelings, so we also can become
blinded by the truth of who we are when we habitually wear a mask
of holiness. When that happens, we lose sight of who we are, where
we need to grow, what we need to change and even what good there is
within us. Lent is an important time for regaining authentic self
knowledge so that we can grow in virtue.
It is also important to take off the mask so that others will
benefit from our true selves. A person who pretends to be
charitable, or pretends to pray, or pretends to be holy, cannot
benefit others. God cannot authentically work through a hypocrite.
Though the facade of holiness may seem appealing at first, the
truth is that the real you, the authentic you, is the person that
others want to know and will benefit from the most. Even your
weaknesses and failures, when honestly faced, will become a source
of strength and blessing for others.
Reflect, today, upon who you are. As your soul stands naked before
the face of God, what does God see? Who are you? What masks do you
wear? What is behind that mask? Use this Lent to look more deeply
into your soul so that you will discover the person you are. Don’t
be afraid to discover your sins and weaknesses. And don’t be afraid
to see your authentic goodness. Seek to be real this Lent, and God
will be able to shine more brightly through you.
My authentic Lord, You wear no mask, have no facade. The purity
of Your divine soul shone through Your human nature as You walked
the Earth, and now You call me to share in that purity. Please help
me to see the ways that I hide behind false virtue, so that I can
discover my true self. As I do, please transform me and shine forth
through my soul for all to see. Jesus, I trust in You.
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