As a minister, I usually include time in my weekly service for a prayer of confession. I try to lighten it up a little by introducing it with a piece of humour.  This week’s joke deals with a woman who had lost her husband. Her neighbour convinces her to report the missing man to the police. So, they both go down to the police station and the wife gives a description. She describes him to the sergeant at the desk as six foot two inches tall, with dark wavy hair, and about 185 pounds. He is very intelligent and fun to be with. Better yet, he is great with the kids. The neighbour elbows her friend and tells her that this description is not what the missing husband looks like at all! In reality he is five feet four inches tall, overweight, bald, and is lousy with the kids. The wife answers back, “I know, but who wants him back!” I’m sure that a chuckle or two will murmur throughout the congregation. Still, if we truly examine ourselves, I think that there are many characteristics about us that we would like to change. Now, I’m not talking about plastic surgery like some Hollywood celebrities have done to themselves. I am referring to our inner being. The part of us that makes us who we truly are. It’s the part of us that we love to deny. In 1 John 1:8, it states that, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves…”. This statement applies to all of us and, this week I am finding it more obvious, as the world tries to deal with the recent tragedy in Haiti.
The pictures and reports are horrific, and it is exemplary to see humanity reach out to try to help the victims of the earthquake and the failed political state of that country. However, I do find it disconcerting when I see Hollywood stars and other famous personalities setting up charities to help the victims. Moreover, there seems to be some kind of attempt to try to outdo others in charitable efforts. Is compassion competitive?  To me, it seems to diminish the efforts of long standing organizations that have been in service for decades there. We should not need hastily organized rock concerts to stimulate people to be charitable and compassionate. It should be our nature. If it is not one’s nature, maybe you’re the missing husband that needs to be changed in the joke.
Real charity is a lot like fasting. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:16 that, ‘whenever you fast, do not look dismal… but when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” In other words, it a matter of just doing it and forget the show.
I’m glad that folks are coming forward to help out, but the list of “famous donors” and the seeming competition for the title of “most compassionate " is disturbing. They have their reward already, and since fame is fleeting, so to will be the reward. I encourage people to donate to groups that have been and are already in the trenches working for care, justice and change. Do it prayerfully. Do it generously. Do it quietly, and you might find yourself changed in the process.