Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
"Beware of
practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will
have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."Thus, when you give
alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and
in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have
received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know
what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your
Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And when you pray, you must
not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues
and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you,
they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and
shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who
sees in secret will reward you. "And when you fast, do not look
dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting
may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But
when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not
be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in
secret will reward you.
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Why did Jesus single
out prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for his disciples? The Jews considered
these three as the cardinal works of the religious life. These were seen as the
key signs of a pious person, the three great pillars on which the good life was
based. Jesus pointed to the heart of the matter. Why do you pray, fast, and
give alms? To draw attention to yourself so that others may notice and think
highly of you? Or to give glory to God? The Lord warns his disciples of
self-seeking glory – the preoccupation with looking good and seeking praise
from others. True piety is something more than feeling good or looking holy. True
piety is loving devotion to God. It is an attitude of awe, reverence, worship
and obedience. It is a gift and working of the Holy Spirit that enables us to
devote our lives to God with a holy desire to please him in all things.
What is the sure
reward which Jesus points out to his disciples? It is communion with God our
Father. In him alone we find the fullness of life and happiness, truth and
beauty, love and joy. Saint Augustine, the great fourth century bishop of
Hippo, wrote the following prayer in his Confessions: When I am completely
united to you, there will be no more sorrows or trials; entirely full of you,
my life will be complete. The Lord rewards those who seek him with humble
and repentant hearts. He renews us each day and he gives us new hearts of love
and compassion that we may serve him and our neighbor with glad and generous
hearts. Do you want to grow in your love for God and for your neighbor? Seek
him expectantly in prayer, with fasting, and in generous giving to those in
need.
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“Lord Jesus, give me
a lively faith, a firm hope, a fervent charity, and a great love for you. Take
from me all lukewarmness in meditating on your word, and dullness in prayer.
Give me fervor and delight in thinking of you and your grace. Fill my heart
with compassion for others, especially those in need, that I may respond with
generosity.”
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