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:
In the gospel Jesus gives us three commands:
1. 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
(Matthew 6:2).
2. 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
(Matthew 6:5).
3. When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect
their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting (Matthew
6:16).
Jesus reminds us to have an interior self-examination about our
lives. How are we living it right now? Do we live our lives so that
others may notice us? For example, in doing good deeds, why is it that
some if not many of us post it on social media? Is it for others to know that we
are doing good? Are we only using God so
that we will gain the admiration of our fellowmen?
Jesus advocates humility and secrecy in doing things for Him. We should
not boast of the things that we do for God and for our fellowmen. Otherwise
it’s all useless and chasing the wind. Jesus knows everything about us; our
motives and the real reason why we do things for Him. He knows if we are only
using Him to advance our own self-serving agendas.
Let us re-direct our motives and from now on let us do things for the
Lord in secrecy. Without posting it on facebook and other social media
platforms. No one will know except you and the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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