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 - for a reformation of the HHS mandate on providing contraception.
What would happen in a room full of people if you took away their cell phones? Everywhere you look, people are on their phones. In the lines at the bank, most people have their phones out.
If you didn't have a cell phone, and you were one of a few people in a room, at lot of times you would talk to someone nearby. Oftentimes on planes I've experienced this happening ... up until electronic devices are allowed to be turned on.
I have often entered into a season of fasting as way of doing versus a way of entering. In our fasting and prayers, we have a unique opportunity to enter into a conversation with Our Lord. We have often heard about having a "personal relationship" with Our Lord. What can be more personal than sharing something with Him that is hidden? What can be more intimate than sharing with Our God the hunger pains and the daily sufferings that He entered into Himself?
If by simply putting away something that is a luxury item we can be open to reaching out to a stranger, how much more open can we be to the reaching arms of God by putting away (or limiting) something that is essential?
Let us enter into communion with God through our sacrifice versus simply doing an act that is impersonal. Take care and God Bless.
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