REFLECTIONS TODAY
Authentic piety is the springboard of righteousness.
For the Jews, “righteous deeds” are expressed in the three pillars of piety: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In many ways, piety and morality go hand in hand. The angel Raphael declares to Tobit and his household, “Prayer with fasting is good. Almsgiving with righteousness is better than wealth with wickedness” (Tb 12:8).
The dynamics of conversion begins with “fasting” in the realization of one’s own mortality.
By “prayer” we raise our eyes to God, begging for his mercy and forgiveness, and by “almsgiving” we compensate for our sinfulness in thankfulness for God’s graciousness. In this sense, we fulfill Jesus’ admonition not to look for human praise, but to give glory only to God.
Gospel • 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 be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.