***
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 others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
For two years, I taught third grade in Newark. It was surprising to see what children, many under immense stress, would do for a simple reward at the end of the day – a lollipop, a piece of chocolate, or a positive phone call home.
I quickly learned – and clung to – that old saying: “Honey attracts more flies than vinegar.”
***
In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes the same approach while speaking about the rewards for being his followers. Whenever we give alms, pray, or fast in secret, our Father who sees in secret will repay us.
Of course, this begs the question, “What kind of reward will we receive?”
Not a lollipop or chocolate. Rather, three things which the world cannot give.
***
First, divine peace.
The spiritual practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving always lead to a detachment from worldly things, thus an interior freedom – a peace – which the world cannot give.
Secondly, doing God’s work leads to more work.
Remember the parable Jesus told about a rich man who gave each of his three servants separate amounts of coins – five, three, and one. Then the rich man left and went on a journey.
When he returned, the servant with five coins doubled his master’s fortune, as did the servant who was given three. Each were “rewarded” with extra responsibilities. Meanwhile, the servant who was given one coin buried it… and then his Master essentially buried him!
In the same way, we who are faithful in little things now like prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, should not be surprised if or when the Lord gives us more responsibility.
Finally, we shall see God’s face in heaven. For believers, there can be nothing sweeter.
***
May we spend this day doing God’s work, so that we might receive his three-fold blessing of peace, more work, and the joy of seeing his face forever.
***
***
Image credits: (1) Missionaries of the Holy Family (2) Worship Leaders University (3) PrimoBibleVerses, X.com