Lip Service
Saturday in the Third Week of Lent ~ 3/18/23
Today’s theme from St. Clare and St. Francis, is “Lip Service”. That hits home! As a business owner who strives to maintain my work more as a calling and ministry rather than a business, I sometimes find myself walking a thin line between what my interior spirit desires and what my exterior body exhibits. While I don’t consider it hypocrisy, per se, my actions could possibly use some scrutinizing and discernment.
Another fine line I walk is that of being too preachy and not sharing enough about Christ. Too much lip service and not enough action? One adjective that has described me in the past, is, exuberance. While age has mellowed me somewhat, I can still lean in that direction from time-to-time, but tend to be less energetic now. When the aspects of fasting, almsgiving and service are being considered for Lent, I often envision grandiose plans for service and almsgiving as well as an ardent attempt at fasting . . . giving up one thing or behavior in order to become a better version of myself for Christ. St. Ignatius of Loyola was guilty of this very thing, as was St. Francis! . . . both to the extreme! St. Clare understood that many of her followers were much more fragile, and had to remind them to care for themselves so that they could care for and serve others, and do fasting that would not limit them.
We are not asked to do grand gestures so that others will notice and then be rotten the rest of the time. St. Matthew addresses this when he teaches about almsgiving, but can apply to others forms of self-sacrifice. ”[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” (Matthew 6:2-4)
We are not asked to do grand things whether in service, in charity, or in fasting, purely for show. That is hypocrisy. Sometimes it is easier to talk about our faith, rather than act it out. That is lip-service. Neither help us grow closer to Christ through suffering and humility. Do we really want to settle for only the accolades and praises of this world? I don’t. I want to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” as I am ushered into heaven. (Matthew 25:23)
Here is the prayer they offer today:
“Lord, it is easier to speak of my faithfuless than to live it from my heart. I do not want to live a life of hypocrisy where my words say one thing but my heart and actions say another. Give me the strength and courage so that I might be a person of integrity. Permeate me with the fire of your love so that my words are not empty but reflect a heart and life devoted to you.’ (p, 54).
May you continue to be blessed along your Lenten Journey.