Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to 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.”
Take care
1) To be seen. Many times, we do things just so people will notice us, or we go out of our way to feel included and valued. But life should not be guided by appearances, by the desire to be noticed, or by the pursuit of status and recognition. Instead, we’re called to live with gratitude for what God has given us and to do what is truly good and meaningful. There are people who live to be admired, constantly seeking approval from others. For Christians, this is a dangerous trap. It can become a vicious cycle: you do things to please others or to be acknowledged, but when your expectations aren’t met, you feel disappointed, frustrated, or angry. Remember, you’re only responsible for your own actions; not for the reactions or decisions of others. There’s a big difference between loving someone and desperately needing to be loved by them. Expectations often lead to anxiety, anxiety creates tension, and that tension can make you lose sight of what truly matters in your life.
2) Almsgiving. The word almsgiving is rooted in the idea of compassion and mercy. To give of yourself or to help another person is not about expecting something in return; it’s about the good your generosity can do in someone else’s life. The whole point of giving alms is to help someone get back on their feet, not to create lasting dependence. At Mass, the collection serves this same purpose: it supports the Church’s charitable works and its everyday needs. As Catholics, we give what comes freely from the heart rather than what is demanded by obligation. Though I always say this is where Providence steps in: the Sunday collection is often insufficient, but someone always comes along to lend a hand and keep Jesus’ Church running.
3) In secret. Your actions should be done in secret, because God knows what you do and the intention behind it. You should learn to do your good deeds in silence, secretly, not announcing your actions to the world for the sake of recognition Too often, instead of acting as pastoral ministers who guide others closer to God, we behave like investigators, watching other Christians only to criticize, exclude, or tear them down. This attitude doesn’t reflect the spirit of the Gospel. Your life shouldn’t be a reality show nor a daily social media post. Rather, life should be centered on sincere relationships with the people who truly know who you are, and with the One you’ve genuinely dedicated your life to.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
