Julian, What Were You Thinking?

Back in the 4^th century there was a Roman emperor who received training as a Christian but, recalling a “massacre of his kinsfolk,” became severely anti-Christian.

The reason I mention him is because I find it fascinating that this Julian (known as Julian the Apostate) recognized the good that Christians were doing and urged the pagans of the time to copy their values.

Julian formed a hierarchy.  He wanted pagans to practice the Christian values of charity and mercy.  He instituted a permanent Roman priesthood.  He started hospitals and had his Roman priests care for the poor and sick.  He wouldn’t allow Christians to do charitable works and forced Romans to give alms.

But here’s the problem.  While having pagans imitate the works and practices of Christians, he did not share the Christian motivation for the gospel.  It was all smoke and mirrors, with very little substance in regards to genuine Christian charity and love of God.

In today’s gospel (Matthew, 6:1-6) Jesus talks about doing good works (“righteous deeds”), praying and giving alms without letting anyone know what you are doing.

Why all the secrecy?

Since I talk a lot about giving witness of our faith, it’s a fair question to ask, “How are we supposed to do these things and give glory to God if nobody’s supposed to see it?”

This is what Julian didn’t understand—whenever we do good, we do it out of genuine love—and when we love, we give glory to God in the act of loving others.  We should not do it for the sake of being seen or some agenda. Julian was on an anti-Christian mission and his motives were impure.

But, if we are exemplifying radical love of neighbor, it will be noticed.  Think of the radical love of a nun from Calcutta who simply followed God’s call.  She moved among the people in the streets, quietly bringing the love of Christ to them, and the degree to which she followed the gospel caused people to take notice.  Not because she sought it, but because radical love is outstanding.

If we make our good works, prayer and almsgiving for show, it becomes all about us.  Look at me.  Look what good I do.  Don’t you think I’m wonderful?

With an attitude like that, the glorification of God gets buried by our ego.  We shouldn’t be giving witness to our good works, but through them so that others will come to know our Father, who being love itself, is beyond generous to us.

Let us give thanks today for all that God can accomplish through us, but pray for the humility to recognize that without him we can do nothing.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com
janetcassidy.blubrry.net