Almsgiving, Prayer, Fasting

Today's Reflections

                               

 

     

Almsgiving, Prayer, Fasting

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Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

[Jesus said to his disciples,] ¹“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. ²When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. ³But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, ⁴so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

⁵“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁶But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

¹⁶“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Reflection:

Do not blow a trumpet before you. When we do good, whether it be almsgiving or prayer or fasting, we should do it for the Lord, and not to win praise or pogi-points from others. “For your eyes only, Lord” should be our motto in doing good. Not that we are to hide our good deeds (the Lord also tells us to let our light shine before men so that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven), but we are to do them for God’s glory and honor and not for people’s approval and praise.

Some people, indeed, will not hand over their donations unless there is an accompanying press release, and many politicians advertise “their” projects so that they will win votes.

Do good whether people see it or not.

God is your Father who sees in secret.