Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 17, 2026
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.”
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The full readings of the day from the Lectionary are available here.
Reflection
I don’t often find myself praying on street corners, but I enjoy praying in communion with others, participating with full heart and voice, as they say. Social media is awash these days with people sharing their acts of giving and generosity, sometimes for selfish reasons but sometimes to inspire others to do the same. So, why must we keep all of this hidden?
I recently lost a very special person who my family affectionately called “Cousin Mary.” Many would say she was the kindest and gentlest person they had ever met. However, in celebrating her life, I was made aware of her legacy, which was much more vast and far-reaching than I ever knew.
Cousin Mary regularly sang in the choir—she had the most beautiful voice—but during the homily at her funeral, her pastor spoke about Mary’s regular presence at daily Mass and her devotion to Christ. He spoke passionately about how she lived out Christ’s example of serving the poor and needy in her community, working diligently and tirelessly on their behalf. She performed these acts of service and devotion forcefully but softly. It was not as though she kept this all hidden; she just didn’t feel the need to broadcast it either.
At her repast, person after person came forward testifying to her faith and care for others. It was truly remarkable to learn what an impact she had on so many people. One theme that emerged from each reflection was an appreciation for Mary’s quiet strength. Mary never blew a trumpet, she didn’t pray loudly on street corners, she certainly kept her head and face clean, but she was doing the Lord’s work all the while.
So, when I reflect on today’s gospel, I am reminded of Cousin Mary and how she, without pomp or fanfare, lived out this very gospel to the fullest. May we all be inspired by her example.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you instructed your disciples not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them. May our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving be motivated by a genuine desire to love and serve God and others. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Rainerius was once the life of every party, but when he discovered the joy of faithfulness, he poured all of his energy into pursuing holiness.
He was born to a good family in Pisa, Italy, in the 1100s. He spent his time as a young adult eating and drinking and socializing—he was a musician, and played through the night at parties.
One day, while performing for a crowd in a castle, he met a monk from a nearby monastery. Rainerius was drawn into conversation with the man, captivated by the witness of his life of prayer and dedication to God. The encounter inspired a profound conversion in Rainerius, and he left his instruments to pursue a life of faithfulness.
Rainerius learned how to conduct a business from his father, who was a merchant, and he built a life around trading with sailors, and would travel between ports to trade. He was successful and earned a lot of money.
His travels took him to the Holy Land (pictured here in a fresco in Pisa) and there he received a sign or vision that convinced him that his wealth was holding him back from giving his life entirely to God. So one day he walked away from it all—he even gave away his shoes. He begged what he needed for food and shelter. His friends mocked him and his parents worried that he had lost his mind, but he had discovered single-minded faithfulness. He stayed in the Holy Land for seven years, visiting shrines and doing penance, and then he returned to Pisa.
Rainerius became famous for working wonders. Once, he was threatened by wild beasts, but tamed them with the sign of the cross. He met a woman who fed the poor with her bread, and he multiplied her loaves. He cured many people who were sick by using holy water.
He never joined a monastery, though he lived among monks for much of his life. He died in 1160 and is patron saint of Pisa. His relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Rainerius, you were the musician who was inspired to leave the party scene and give your life to God, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Rainerius is in the public domain. Last accessed March 18, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
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