Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 18, 2025
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.”
“Jesus said to his disciples.” In our rush to get to the content, we may overlook these simple introductory words. But when we read that Jesus is speaking to his disciples, we should listen up! These are his instructions to them, and likewise to us. Furthermore, Jesus says, “Take care” and “Amen, I say to you.” Both statements are calls to focus on the importance of what Jesus is telling us: Pray. Give alms. Fast. Additionally, when you do, Jesus says, “Take care not to perform your righteous deeds before others.”
Don’t we all conduct ourselves with an audience in mind? Perhaps for our spouse, children, coworkers, friends, or followers on social media. We often perform for the praise of others.
I recently lost my lovely mother. I admit this loss has left me a bit off balance because I didn’t just lose her. Since my father died 22 years ago, I now have no parents. Their praise and approval always motivated me to do well. With them both gone, my accomplishments tend to seem less important. As a parent, I understand we want our children to seek our approval. However, the only approval we are called to seek is that of our heavenly Father.
Our culture tends to complicate our lives with an emphasis on acquiring more—more possessions, more achievements, more likes. However, in today’s gospel, God provides us with the grace of simplicity: Pray (without ceasing). Give alms (in giving of ourselves to others). Fast (from anything keeping us from God). When we follow these teachings, not for earthly reward but rather to fulfill God’s will, we shall be granted the promises of joy, peace, love, and eternal life.
Prayer
My God, our Father, we are tempted to do good to others from mixed motives. We want to be helpful; we want to be recognized and somehow rewarded. Let it be enough in our hearts to know we have tried to love you in whatever we do, whether in our hidden prayers for others or our kindness and service as well. We pray with the church through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Gregory Barbarigo had all the skills for a successful life in politics, but instead dedicated himself to serving the Church.
He was born in 1625, the son of a senator from Venice, Italy. He was a brilliant student, well-educated, and took on the life of a diplomat with his well-connected family. He accompanied the Venetian ambassador to several important negotiations and traveled extensively.
After five years with the ambassador, he returned to Italy to continue his studies and to enter the world of politics. He soon became disillusioned by the political world, however, and sought advice from a cardinal he had met in his travels. Gregory was thinking of becoming a hermit, but the cardinal advised him to pursue his doctorate in law, then become a priest.
Ten years later, Gregory had earned a doctorate in both civil and canon law and was ordained a priest. His skills were valuable to the Church and he soon was named a bishop, and then cardinal.
He was given responsibility for the diocese in Padua, Italy, and he led the Church there with wisdom. He reorganized and enlarged seminaries in his region, adding a library and a printing press, and worked hard to carry out the reforms that the Church was encouraging at the time.
St. Gregory died on this date in 1697. His relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Gregory Barbarigo, you were a strong leader who gave up your life in politics to serve the Church—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Gregory Barbarigo is in the public domain. Last accessed March 18, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
