GOSPEL, Matthew (6: 1-6, 16-18)
Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
Concerning Almsgiving
6 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Concerning Prayer
5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever 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.
Concerning Fasting
16 “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
The Gospel of the Lord
REFLECTION
The upright man strives to live according to God’s will, constantly taking care of himself without worrying about the applause of others. Human laws normally affect man in his outward behaviour; Christ’s law descends to the innermost part of his own heart from which good and evil are born.
Jesus, the new Moses, came to the world to present a new justice: to please God through alms giving, prayer, fasting, and abolishing the public piety of hypocrites. Jesus re-enforces the belief in the Lord’s reward when following His teachings. (Vv.6-18) “your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
In the new religiosity proposed by Christ, the intention takes precedence over the external work; the value of our Christian practice is uprightness, sincerity before God and openness to others. Thus, we will be witnesses of the gospel, of his kingdom and of the true worship of God in spirit and truth.
The seed of the Kingdom works silently, but in the end, it shows its effectiveness by transforming the structures and the heart of man.
Today, we are invited to seek God without show, always giving interior attention and surrendering heart and soul to seek to fulfil his will.
As we recite the Lord’s Prayer and say it with our lips and our heart, “Thy will be done,” we are following his example, because “whoever fulfils my Father’s will is my brother and sister” (Matthew 12:50).
Let us ask the Lord for the grace of being unconditional doers of His will, joyful servants of His plan of salvation.
PRAYER
God our Father, purify us with your gaze of infinite holiness. Instil in us your Spirit, to seek you sincerely. Transform us from within to be transparent to your light. Amen.