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 your Lenten sacrifice.
Wherever your treasure is, there also your heart will be ...
What if the thing you treasured was human respect? Just like in today's reading, I know that there is a temptation to want to "known" as holy and pious. I know that there is a temptation to want to be seen by others as the man who is righteous.
Yet, is it only for human respect? If my ego was what I sought to be fed, was I open to the grace that came from mortifying myself? Was I mortifying my soul, or being gluttonous on pride?
We may never see how The Father repays those who are faithful not only when others can see, but also when there is nobody around. Thankfully, we can trust that Jesus' words are Truth, and as such, we can trust that if we truly seek humility and poverty, we will receive a great reward. It will be a reward offers more freedom than money can buy and more fulfillment than the empty chasm of pride.
Take care and God Bless.
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