Saturday March 16

Matthew 6:1-18

Kevin Miller

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

In this passage, Christ is calling out hypocrites who make their own acts of charity, prayer and fasting into a public display of their own righteousness.  They make sure that everyone knows when they have given to the needy. They perform their prayers for all to see, using a lot of fancy words, and by going on and on and on.  Likewise, when they are fasting, they make sure it is obvious by showing just how much they are suffering.

Those who draw the attention of others in order to receive praise for their actions receive only such praise as a reward.  God sees the insincerity, and provides no further reward.

Praise from others always feels good, and can build up our own esteem.  But this is not how God wants us to be. We are to keep our acts of charity between ourselves and God.  While there is a time and place for public prayer, such prayers are to be to the glory of God, not a performance to impress others.  The Lord’s Prayer in its simplicity and grace is a great example of how we should pray.

There will be rewards in Heaven for those who humbly and quietly live out their faith through silent acts of charity and piety.  We should strive to be such people.

Questions for Reflection:

• In what ways are you like the hypocrites in Christ’s story?

• Are there changes you can make to be less like them?

Prayer:

Lord, give us the insight to realize when we are doing things for our own glory and help us to change to glorify you instead. Amen.