By Akhsi Wary csc –
Readings: 2Cor 9:6-11; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
In today’s gospel reading, we see the command of Jesus “beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for they will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” In this passage, Jesus outlines for us how we are to pray, give alms, and fast because these are the pillars for
our inner purification.
Through this Jesus is trying to make us understand that these acts help us to center ourselves in God and so whatever religious practices we do is for God alone not for human beings. Therefore, they should be done with sacred intentions and dispositions. When we try to please the human eyes rather than God, all our pious practices will have no meaning. In whatever work we do, we must reflect God. Yes, sometimes we seek people’s attention, but Jesus tells us to seek the attention of God, who already knows our motives and desires because he knows us better than we know ourselves.
So today let us introspect with these questions; whose attention do we often seek, people or God? With what disposition do I approach God? Lastly, do I practice fasting, charity, and prayer to impress others?