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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Your father who sees in secret will repay you

Your father who sees in secret will repay you

Published Feb 13, 2024 11:03 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Today begins the season of Lent. We are asked to intensify the practice of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. We should practice them with sincerity and humility, not like the hypocrites who do them for a show. 

Jesus is against publicity when it comes to charity giving, praying, and fasting. 

When we do them with ulterior motives like gaining more leverage, more popularity, and media coverage, we cannot become pleasing to God. 

Jesus teaches us how to establish a better relationship with the Father through those religious practices with proper motivation. If done properly, they lead us closer to God. We become more holy. God promises to reward us greatly and ever more than what the world can give. 

Blessed are we if our practices lead us to conversion and closer to God and to one another.

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: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

 

 

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