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."
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for those who are expecting, in thanksgiving for God's wonderful gift of life.
Actually, it wasn't a trumpet... I played a trombone.
When I was in high school, I bear the shame of having the loudest trombone. One moment in particular comes time mind. We were watching the tape of a competition and the judge remarked, "there seems to be one trombone that is just glaring out," and all eyes turned to me. It was also a mark against us.
That judge wasn't particularly interested in hearing how good I was. Actually, my playing loud took away from my playing ability.
God doesn't need to know how good you are either. In His eyes, you are "very good" and you don't have to win His affection. When we praise God, through our tithing, praying, singing, etc., we are doing what we are made to do.
Today's reading calls us again to take a look at our "interior" holiness and work on that, which will naturally translate into our "external" holiness. Take care and God Bless.
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