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 be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for strength in your Lenten fast.
A man fasting can think of himself as being better than everyone else because of his fast. A woman praying can think less of everyone else because they don't pray as reverently as she does. A man who lives his life according to virtue can easily become corrupted by the vice of pride.
It is a very fine line between our acts of faith and our acts of pride. A very fine line. The reason we fast, pray and give is for Our Lord and none other. In His light, we cannot fast enough, pray enough or give enough. We must constantly be on guard, and especially in this season where the temptation of pride can easily fill the minds of all of us striving for holiness. We must remember, the same call we have in ourselves is the same call to holiness in every human being. Take care and God Bless.
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