Hypocrisy

As Francis went through the city of Assisi, a certain poor old woman begged an alms of him for the love of God.  And he immediately gave her the mantle which he had on his back and without delay he confessed in the presence of those who followed how in this he had pride.  And we have seen and heard so many other example like this of his great humility, we who were always in his company, that neither with words nor with letters can we narrate them.  For Francis had his main focus on that he would not be a hypocrite before God, and though on account of his infirmity a liberty would be necessary to him, yet he took thought with himself, always to show a good example to the friars and to others, so that he sustained all poverty patiently that he might take away from everyone all occasion of murmuring.

                        -Mirror of Perfection, Section IV, Chapter 63

As in the last selection, we see Francis' high demands on himself requires shame that we might not recommend to others.  Perhaps it is enough that Francis could have a private confession of his thoughts of pride.

On the other hand, like Jesus, Francis took hypocrisy very seriously.  If it looked like he was doing one thing, but really doing another, he wanted it to be known, and to recognize that his thoughts aren't always saintly.  Francis may or may not have sought to be a saint, but he knew himself to often not have holy or loving intentions.  This is important for all of us.  We need to clearly see ourselves as who we really are, and not make ourselves to be more holy, more religious, more pious or more God-loving than we really are.

There are many churches that encourage the opposite.  They want to see more God language, more praising, more outward show.  This isn't necessarily bad, but if there isn't also the outward confession of saying what one doesn't really feel or acting in a way that doesn't reflect a real inner life, that is bad.

We've got to recognize all of our occasional hypocrisy.  But we also need to do what we can to do away with such religious falsity.