By the time you read this, we will have elected (hopefully!) the next president of the United States. Both major party candidates, as is almost always the case, claim to be men of faith. They appear in churches, appeal to religious folks to support them because of their moral principles, and invoke God’s blessings on our land. They each want people of faith to support them.Only God and the candidates themselves know the sincerity of these gestures. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus warns against public displays of piety to win the admiration of others. “Beware of the scribes,” he tells his followers, “who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.” Then Jesus notices a widow who drops two coins into a collection plate. “Amen, I say to you,” Jesus says, “this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”Jesus warns us against any kind of self-promotion in the name of religion. In fact, he specific notes that we should beware of those who make a public display of their faith in order to impress others.Once again, Jesus warns us against any kind of self-promotion in the name of religion. In fact, he specific notes that we should beware of those who make a public display of their faith in order to impress others. Then he points to a seemingly insignificant worshipper who, very quietly, makes an incredible gift to her congregation. It is only a couple of coins, but it is all she has.When I was a campus minister, I was always uneasy about how to approach my life of faith when it was in some ways my job. I was inviting people to programs, hoping they would participate and benefit. Was it because I cared for them or because I wanted to succeed at my work — build a growing, faithful community? One of the things I’ve tried to avoid in writing these columns for the past 15 years is presenting myself as an authority on the Catholic faith. I don’t feel that I’m anywhere near qualified to speak for anyone other than myself. I’ve tried to write only about my own experience, and have found that most of the time the weekly readings expose yet another way in which I fall short of God’s ideal. But then, usually, it becomes clear that God’s ideal is to enjoy his mercy and compassion when we fall short, and find that this is how we become closer to God, not farther away.Bill Peatman writes from Napa. He may be reached at [email protected].
