Clothe the Naked

More than any other work of mercy, I think this is the one we find consistently difficult to extend to our own lives. There seems to be something ingrained in our modern sense of compassion where one resists giving “half of his cloak” as Martin of Tours did. We find it very natural to share a meal, share water, even share time, such as volunteering at our parishes and at various aid societies. Yet, when it comes to material possession, especially concrete things we can touch and see, it is much harder.

Curiously, I find money to be the easiest thing to part with. For example, I think I would find it hard to give away the shoes off my feet, while much easier to purchase a new pair of shoes for someone in need. Though that may not be too difficult to imagine, place yourself in the position of St. Martin. Would you give the very coat off your back in such a moment? I suspect that many of us would struggle to rise to the calling of Christian virtue and, like the thief in the night, allow that eminently Christian moment to pass us by.

I think the root of that struggle, as cliché or common as it may sound, is pride. We have been taught from a young age that we should be proud of our accomplishments, talents, abilities, and all the things they bring us, may they be material trophies and awards, recognition, financial gain, influence, etc. I suspect it is that pride that creeps into our hearts and hardens them against willingly divesting of our possessions for the sake of another’s need.

The great, spiritual paradox of this is that being proud of our successes is good! Namely, one may even have a spiritual duty to be proud of the abilities that God blessed and entrusted us with. Indeed, Christ taught in the Parable of the Talents that to be a “good and faithful servant” we are to produce success from his blessings, not hide and bury them away. Additionally, Christ demonstrates that even different levels of success are noteworthy. Even if the wicked servant merely had the forethought to put away his master’s coin into a bank to produce interest, it would have been praiseworthy.

In the Gospel, Christ reserves his most punishing denouncements and judgements when he describes spiritual pride, usually directed at the Pharisees. He does not condemn virtuous acts such as fasting, alms giving, or adhering to the Sabbath, but where he does find guilt are the times that the Pharisees paraded their good deeds in public, seeking praise, or breached the spirit of the law by abusing the letter of the law. In this same way, we might find ourselves faced with the results of our pride. Are we participating in good deeds simply because others are watching? Is our motivation for virtue simply for praise and selfish gain? Or are we truly seeking to bring ourselves and others closer to Christ through an increase of love and mercy in these acts?

In the end, as in all things, a balance must be struck. St. Bernard describes the “mountain of pride” in his writings, citing pride as the source of all sin in our life. If we are to truly answer a call to clothe the naked, we must sacrifice our sinful pride and unite our efforts and successes with an expression of newness, bringing hope and new life to others through virtuous acts. We can continue to have pride in our material deeds, only this time, let us have pride in knowing we are actively participating in spreading the light of Christ through the world. Interestingly enough, one of St. Bernard’s favorite scripture passages (as well as mine), Philippians 4:4-9, provides us a roadmap to such a heavenly goal:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

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