19 June, 2024 | Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

 Reading1: 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14

 

Gospel Mt 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."

Reflection: 

Jesus asserts that we be genuine in all that we do.  Instances like alms-giving or performing righteous deeds, while praying and in fasting, in all interactions and especially those with God, he attests that real and true feelings matter.

Our every action has some of the world watching it.  There is also a good, bad or ugly reaction as a consequence from it.  The natural human tendency is to please one another just so that awards, honour, name and fame may flow as reward or compensation.  

However, those same actions are also watched keenly by our heavenly Father.  His sharp, discerning eyes will immediately differentiate the genuine nature of its intent.  And from his evaluation flows blessings of grace and gifts from above.  Jesus prefers that we remember the watchful eyes of our heavenly Father in all that we do.

Activity: 

Be reminded of the Divine Presence of God at all times and in all that we do.