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.”

Reflection

What strikes me in this list of things that we should do, is the image of prayer. When you pray, you go to the inner room. Where is that inner room? What is it? And it seems so clear to me, it's our heart where God dwells. We are taught to go to that inner place, and to spend time with God, and to seek his advice and his direction, it’s called our conscience.

And it's such a gift, such a treasure. And during this season of lent, it seems like nothing would be better than to spend more and more time with God in our hearts and listen. Listen to how he wants us to grow and change. That's his will. That's why he is present.

Closing Prayer

Father, you make yourself so available to us. Dwelling in our hearts. Resonating love and healing. Bless us with this recognition. Help us never to lose the beauty of your relationship with us as we continue to work for your kingdom. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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