Reflection for June 17 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.”

+ + + +  + +

Reflection:

What does Jesus teach us today? 

He teaches us about humility and modesty. He calls us to keep our acts of piety private and not to trumpet them before the whole world, including the world of social media, for He already knows everything we do. Yet the world we live in today often influences us to set aside this teaching of Jesus and instead embrace publicity, recognition, and self-promotion.

Just look at the many platforms on the internet, such as Facebook, Instagram, X, and others. What message do they often send us? They encourage us to publicize almost everything we do, including our acts of charity, generosity, and devotion. Without realizing it, we can become more concerned about being seen by others than being seen by God.

There is nothing wrong with using social media when we use it to promote worthy causes, inspire others, and serve those in need with sincere and selfless intentions. However, it becomes a spiritual danger when our desire to help is overshadowed by our desire to be noticed, praised, or admired. When our good deeds become a means of drawing attention to ourselves rather than glorifying God, we risk losing sight of the true purpose of our acts of kindness and piety.

Perhaps Jesus is reminding us today not to be troubled when no one notices our sacrifices, our generosity, or our hidden acts of love. He sees them all. Nothing escapes His loving gaze. Every quiet prayer, every unseen sacrifice, every act of mercy done in secret, and every good deed offered with a humble heart is known and treasured by Him.

What truly matters is that we do everything for Jesus and for the greater good of His people. It should no longer matter whether we are recognized or overlooked, whether people praise us or remain silent. Our reward is not found in human applause but in the loving approval of God, who knows our hearts and sees what others cannot see.

As followers of Christ, may we strive to seek God's approval rather than the world's attention. May we find joy in serving quietly, loving generously, and giving humbly, trusting that our Heavenly Father sees every hidden act of goodness and will never forget the love we offer in His name.

Today, let us reflect: Are we doing good so that others may notice us, or are we doing good simply because we love God and desire to glorify Him, even when no one else sees?— Marino J. Dasmarinas