Unassuming Goodness

Gospel: Matthew 12: 14-21

What might it be like if we simply went about doing good in a quiet, humble way?  No websites, no social media, no advertising, no "stewardship" campaigns.  So much of what religion has become is self-promotion and ego driven enterprises.  So much hype is spent on big fundraising galas and auctions that we little know what the money is even being spent on.  As long as we outbid our neighbor for that trip to Cabo, it'll all be worth it.  

Jesus went about from place to place doing good to others: healing sick people, liberating people gripped by their demons, feeding them at table.  Time and again he exhorted people to tell no one about it, and time and again they ignored him.  They just had to "witness" or "testify" or "evangelize".  But was it really about all that, or were they instead making it all about themselves, and in the process doing great harm to the work of Jesus on earth?

We might well consider these questions, along with this little exchange from Robert Bolt's play "A Man for All Seasons":

• Sir Thomas More: But Richard, that's a little bribe. At court they offer you all sorts of things, home, manors, manor houses, coats of arms. Why not be a teacher? You'd be a fine teacher; perhaps a great one.
• Richard Rich: If I was, who would know it?
• Sir Thomas More: You; your pupils; your friends; God. Not a bad public, that. Oh, and a quiet life.