Jesus told his disciples:

1 “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, 4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

5 “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

16 “Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; 18 so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you."

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 - World English Bible

In Matthew 6, Jesus taught his followers about the three spiritual practices that have become the pillars of Lent: almsgiving, prayer and fasting. In typical fashion for this gospel, he compared the way the Pharisees performed these practices with the way his followers should, and he painted the comparison with a broad brush. He portrayed the Pharisees as arrogant and vain, while his disciples should be humble and discrete. Of course, not all Pharisees were so self-absorbed and proud and it was impossible for early Christians to perform such practices in a way no one would notice.

Pharisees, especially in urban settings and the Diaspora, led the people by example. Their dress and behavior set the standard for Jews to follow. As such, they defined Judaism for their fellow countrymen and for the Gentiles. They were to inspire their followers in ways that fulfilled Leviticus 19:18, "Love your neighbor as yourself," especially in giving assistance to the poor and the widow. Since they were distinctive in look and action, they were easy targets for caricature.

Jesus portrayed the leadership style of the his followers not in distinction with dress and behavior but in humility. He wanted them to give alms in a way friends would not notice ("left hand" and "right" were analogies for those closest to the giver). He taught that humility pleased God more than leading by example. In the same manner, he insisted on discretion for the practices of prayer and fasting.

We might not always to be able to give to the poor, pray or fast without being seen, but we can get on with our spiritual practices without creating a show for others. Example is important, but style counts, too.

How do you perform your spiritual practices?