“Everything they do, they do to be noticed by others.” –Jesus of Nazareth
This seems awfully judgmental, and people should always be careful in making such sweeping claims. Even so, we’ve all known folks who do things primarily to be noticed by others, and it seems to be a prominent feature of Christianity.
It’s easy to become disheartened by official Christian voices. The countless cases of abuse and their cover-ups have caused a profound crisis of credibility in the Catholic Church, which is entirely justified. When clerics ignore deeper issues, become celebrities, or participate in costume parties, people become disenchanted and seek spiritual nourishment and pastoral guidance elsewhere. The vacuum has been filled by internet pundits.
You know their names. Some have academic credentials, book contracts, or popular podcasts. Others are ordained clergy but devote more time to their personal ministries than to their local responsibilities. Their suave self-confidence communicates supposed expertise. They have rules for living, but “Everything they do, they do to be noticed by others.”
In Matthew 23:1–12 (the Gospel reading for the second Tuesday of Lent), Jesus criticizes the celebrity teachers in his society for what he sees as their hypocrisy. They loved to be seen as highly intelligent, exceptionally upright, and able to impart their wisdom to the masses.
He didn’t say they weren’t any of those things. Instead, Jesus critiqued their motivation. They loved to be noticed by others.
How did Jesus know his opponents were addicted to fame? He saw at their actions. “They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.”
Jesus condemned them for not compounding the suffering of their followers. They were driven by clicks and only gave consideration to their audience insofar as it brought them attention.
In addition to chastising them for making people’s lives unnecessary difficult, Jesus condemned them for dressing up. These well-known teachers wore clothing that distinguished them as special individuals.
There are far too many examples of modern clergy who appear to enjoy wearing flamboyant ecclesiastical attire to assert their authority. It’s as if donning a cassock, mitre, or biretta somehow bestows superpowers.
Pope Francis frequently warns people against becoming enamored with “doctors of the law” and has famously encouraged pastors to “smell like sheep.” The pope observes, “These lords are ‘doctors of appearances:’ always perfect, always. But within, what is there?”
Pope Francis warned a group of seminarians, “We should recognize that we are part of one great people which has received God’s promises as a gift, not as a privilege. In the same way, your vocation is a gift to be placed at the service of building up the body of Christ.”
In the Gospel lesson, Jesus explained that people who taught the truth were characterized by their humility. “But you shouldn’t be called Rabbi, because you have one teacher, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Don’t call anybody on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is heavenly. Don’t be called teacher because Christ is your one teacher.”
This doesn’t give people permission to become their own authorities. The “just Jesus and me” approach frequently backfires. When you are your own expert, your opinions are constrained by your own limited viewpoint. You essentially become your own celebrity instructor.
No one should ever turn off their intellect because everyone must answer to their own conscience. However, your conscience needs to be nurtured, fed, and properly cared for. Famous personalities are rarely successful in assisting people in doing so. Participating in a diverse community, with all its flaws, foibles, and imperfections, provides inner sustenance you may not have realized you needed.
The Catholic Church teaches, “A good conscience requires lifelong formation…The Word of God is a principal tool in the formation of conscience when it is assimilated by study, prayer, and practice. The prudent advice and good example of others support and enlighten our conscience.”
Who can we rely on to assist us in caring for our conscience? Jesus offers wise counsel. “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
“Look for the helpers,” Mr. Rogers reportedly said.
The issue isn’t the office or the popularity. Jesus addressed the condition of the heart. When speaking of the 10th anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Francis, papal biographer Austen Ivereigh noted, “You are awestruck by the office….he’s very much a man of authority.” Ivereigh goes on to say, “You sense his authority in his presence, but it’s not an intimidating authority. It’s a liberating authority because it’s an authority that’s at everybody’s service….His whole attitude is, ‘How can I help? How can I make things better?’”
The teachers we all need are those whose whole attitude is, “How can I help?” The deeper lesson is learning how to lend a hand without expecting praise or fuss. This is not available on Twitter or TikTok. In fact, anyone attempting to build an audience is likely unworthy of being followed.
Anyone with access to a microphone can launch a podcast. You too can become a YouTube guru by turning on your camera. Having millions of followers or holding a religious position does not make you worthy of imitation. What are some telltale indications of people whose “Works are performed to be seen?”
1. Someone spending significant time with their personal brand.
2. Someone bragging about their number of viewers.
3. Someone attempting to become a social media influencer.
Rather than reducing your humanity to a click or view, look to the example of people you already know who may never have a podcast because they’re too busy truly helping others.
During Lent, we read from Matthew’s Gospel as a reminder to repent of using Christ’s message to elevate our own status. It also cautions us against pinning our hopes on the most recent well-known professional teachers because “whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
