Gospel: Matthew
6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus
said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that
people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly
Father. When 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. But when you give alms, do not let
your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be
secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“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. But 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.
“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. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so
that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is
hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
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Reflection:
What
motivates you to do good? For example in giving to the poor, what motivates you
to help them? In giving to the poor Jesus has a major requirement that you
should follow. Do it in secret without anyone knowing about it.
Why in
secret? Because secrecy is the language of Jesus secrecy is also a close
relative of humility which Jesus embodies to the hilt. This teaching of Jesus
on alms giving is totally opposed to the teachings of this world which unfortunately
many of us follow.
This
world teaches us to publicise and to broadcast whatever good that we do. It teaches
us to post to the internet our acts of kindness. So that those who know us may
see it and consequently they will have a good impression about us.
Why
publicise? Perhaps this is brought about by our natural need for recognition.
And there’s no wrong about it for we simply want to be recognised. But Jesus is challenging us not to go after recognition.
Jesus is
challenging us to silently fade away after we have done good to anyone. Could
we measure-up to this challenge of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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