Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
https://www.donboscofigline.it/vangelo/vangelo-secondo-matteo-mt-6-1-6-16-18
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 6:16, 16-18
June 15, 2022 | Wednesday
Be careful not to make a show of your good deeds before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven. When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be noticed in the synagogues and in the streets, in order to be praised by people. I assure you, they have their reward. If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you. When you pray, do not be like those who want to be noticed. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners, in order to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have their reward. When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept secret will re ward you.
When you fast, do not put on a miserable face, as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face so that people can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already. When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for your Father, who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.
Today’s Reflection:
Jesus speaks of three ordinary and basic acts of religion expected from devout Jews: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. He warns his disciples that these things must be carried out in a way to honor God. This is why he emphasized doing these actions secretly. These works have no value if only performed to win praise or approval from other people.
Jesus reminds us that our actions must be directed to God. What is important is not the praise of other people but the praise of God. Our actions must lead us to a closer relationship to God and to our neighbors and not to advertise ourselves. We should do things for the glory and love of God. If we do things for the sake of God, God will reward and repay us. /Vulnerasti, 2022
