March 6, Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)

Liturgy does some of its best work when it makes us squirm, when it makes us ask, Is this scripture talking about me? In our congregation’s Ash Wednesday liturgy, we read Matthew 6 immediately before the imposition of ashes. Just before we encourage the community to stream forward and, in front of everyone, declare their repentance and commence their fast as black soot blemishes their forehead, we hear these disconcerting words: “Beware of practicing your piety before others . . . Whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting.” Awkward. The Bible regularly creates tensions like this, and it’s healthy to allow the discomfort to stretch taut as long and often as possible.

We like to make certain our good deeds hit the public radar. Some of us like to have our name emblazoned across an impressive edifice or have our matching donation noted by the vestry. Some of us want to make certain our protests and positions are strategically broadcast over our social media feed. Some of us feign disinterest but silently yearn for our simplicity or spiritual practice or prophetic posture to be recognized and revered. It’s remarkable how often religious devotion gives prime opportunity for self-obsession.

Jesus, who never pulls any punches when confronting religious image-builders and power-players, highlights the hypocrisy overwhelming so much of our virtuous activity. Some make a spectacle of dropping wads of cash in the collection plate in hopes that “they may be praised by others.” Some offer voluminous, eloquent prayers while keeping one eye open to make sure folks are paying attention, anxious “to be seen by others.” Then there are those who take on a rigorous fast but add a little drama, checking themselves in the mirror to make certain they appear appropriately grim and pious because the point of it all, of course, is “to show others” their impressive diligence.