Reflection for June 18 Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

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:

Will You Follow These Three Commands of Jesus? 

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). 

In these words, our Lord Jesus gently invites us to reflect: Why do we do what we do? He reminds us to pause, examine our hearts, and ask ourselves: Are we living for the eyes of others—or for the eyes of God? 

In our daily lives, especially in moments of charity, prayer, and sacrifice, do we quietly offer them to God? Or do we seek recognition and approval from people? For instance, why is it that when we do good deeds, some—if not many—feel compelled to post them on social media? Is it to inspire others—or is it to be noticed? 

Jesus sees through our intentions. He knows the true reason behind every word we speak and every act we perform. Nothing is hidden from Him—not even the secret desires of our hearts. If we are only using God to gain admiration or fulfill personal ambitions, then we have already received our reward—and it's fleeting. 

The Lord calls us to a higher path: the way of humility, silence, and secrecy in our relationship with Him. When we pray, give, or fast, we are invited to do so not for applause, but out of love for God. Quiet, unseen acts of faith are precious in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. 

Let us, then, re-orient our motives. Let us begin again—doing things not for praise but purely for God. May we embrace the hidden life, where no one knows what we do except us and the Lord. And in that quiet place, He who sees in secret will reward us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas