Unseen

What do St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, and St. Valentine have in common?

Both lived during the persecutions. Nicholas was a bishop. Valentine was a priest and then a bishop.

Both were martyred.

Most importantly, both of their famous activities were done in secret.

Emperor Claudius had banned marriages of young men in order to recruit more young men to the army. Valentine secretly married those who were in love. The story goes that this was discovered and he was executed on February 14, 270 AD. That is how it became the day of lovers.

Nicholas's involvement was not so much political. The story goes that he secretly delivered money and other gifts to poor houses and mostly at night. He was also martyrd. December 6th is Saint Nicholas Day.

In any case, both of them have gone beyond the 'Christian' confines. Both have become legends. Both have become secular icons. I think that their passage beyond religion into the secular world is due to the secretive nature of their actions. The secular world, with the exception of the extreme religious radicals of many places and religions, celebrates both of them as its own.

"let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing"; "When you pray, go into your room and close the door and pray in secret"; "When you fast... do not look sad... apply oil your head and wash your face": We began Lent with readings like this.

But it is also true that there's another perspective. Jesus says, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven".

So here is my question again. Should good deeds be done in secret or in public?

I am not able to say that or this is the way it should be. However, there is one thing. Jesus often tries to keep his works secret. He asked not to make it public. God always remains unseen. What is done unseen is that which is more in correspondence with God's work.