Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 19, 2024
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.”
Reflection
Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, fast, and give alms but warned them not to seek acknowledgment or praise for these works as the hypocrites do. His warning is astute for us today, too. I am constantly challenged as a disciple to practice what I believe and to do so without hypocrisy and without seeking validation from others. The temptation is great to be considered by others to be a holy and virtuous person, whether or not I act as such in public and in private.
Sometimes, this temptation weasels its way into my life when catching up with friends. I’ll think to myself: Make sure to mention the time I’ve spent in prayer, ways I’ve helped someone this week, or quantify the sacrifices I’ve made recently for others. Let people know I am living a good and virtuous life!
Since I am also a mother, I’ve noticed that parents bond over the shared trials of raising young ones. The desire arises to flaunt or brag about the good — “My child sits quietly during Mass and doesn’t even need snacks to do so; what a gift!” — but also to highlight the bad, as a noble sacrifice laid down at the feet of other parents — “Wow! Your child doesn’t wake up until 8 am on Saturdays? We’re up at 5:45 am no matter the day of the week.” Both of these examples seem to seek acknowledgment or praise for the sacrifices made by parents working to raise virtuous children.
As disciples, we’re challenged not to sound the trumpets to herald the good we’ve done or to call attention to how much we are fasting and giving up for God. Jesus knew that his disciples might be tempted to seek praise for their acts, but he assured them that “your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
May the acts of fidelity we perform today go wholly unnoticed except by God, who knows and sees all and loves us unconditionally.
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.