Jesus instructs us not to be show-offs

Reading: Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1.

Good morning, happy Wednesday, and many blessings.

In today’s Gospel (Matthew 6:1-6,16-18) Jesus instructs us not to be show-offs.  This passage begins with Jesus instructing His disciples: “When you give alms, do it quietly.  If you wish to pray, go into your room, and close the door.  Your Father who sees in secret may reward you.”

Jesus also tells his disciples: “When you go fast, don’t look gloomy or sad as the hypocrites do.  They have received their reward.  Instead wash your face and comb your hair.  Then no one will know that you are fasting.  However, God will see what you have done and will reward you.

Jesus wants us to realize that our love for God and one another that should direct the choices we make, not our need for attention or status.  Jesus desires that we make good choices for our families, our world, and ourselves.  Today be mindful of the choices you make.  Will they benefit only you or will they benefit the people you love and our world?  There was nothing frivolous or fake about this relationship. And because of this, we see that Jesus was in no way religious.

What do you mean that Jesus wasn’t religious, Jesus was one of the most faithful people in existence, but Jesus was not religious. Religious people are concerned that others know they gave money to help the church or gave money to help the poor. This is not a conscious thing, of course. However, they gain great satisfaction when their names are known. They appreciate having plaques nailed onto church rooms, banners at events such as benefit concerts, or even stadiums named after them. Faithful people are concerned that God’s creation and God’s people are cared for. Recognition does not matter.

Though it certainly is not conscious for most, religious people want others to know that they have given up a lot for the sake of God. When they fast, they want others to visually see the indented cheeks and the hand that goes up to soothe a hunger related headache. They are satisfied when others see that they are feeling miserable and have sacrificed a great deal for the Lord.

Faithful people want the ache of their stomach to reveal how much they need the Lord for even the simplest thing in life: food. Fasting is a space created in life for God to enter in and reveal something important. Sympathy is not needed. And yes, though probably not consciously, the religious person looks sideways out of their eye to see the smile of satisfaction on a friend’s face when a well-crafted prayer is appreciated.

The faithful person talks to God because they need to talk to God.

Blessings,

Fr. Luis+