Search This Blog

Saturday, June 23, 2012

June 20, 2012 – Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18 - Concerning Almsgiving and Fasting


"Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and in the streets, so that others may praise them. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

In the gospel, Jesus is asking us that when we pray, fast and give alms, we should do it in secret. Fr. Michael Coutts explained that we  should not impress others in order to build our interim life. We should have deep and great foundation to be grateful to God and give glory to Him. People are encouraged to do acts of charity.

No comments: