"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."
MATTHEW 6:3-4
The rewards for good deeds come from God and not from public recognition or praise. The reward may not be material or immediate, but it’s promised to be greater than any earthly recognition. It emphasizes the spiritual benefits of altruism and selflessness. Keep one’s good deeds in secret. Acts of charity or kindness should be performed quietly and without public recognition. The idea is to avoid hypocrisy and perform good deeds for their own sake, not for praise or recognition. It’s a reminder to maintain humility and sincerity in our actions.
In the quiet corners where no eyes can see, perform your deeds, let your kindness be free. No applause to seek, no praise to invite. In the hush of the secret, find your delight. The right hand gives, the left remains unaware, a silent dance of love, beyond compare. In the heart of the night or the light of the day, in secret we give, in secret we pray. The echo of goodness, silent and profound, in the whispers of the wind, its voice is found. Not for the world to see and applaud, but for the eyes of the One, our heavenly Lord. The reward awaits, not in this earthly sphere, but in the realm above, crystal clear. For the Father who sees in secret, knows, in the garden of the heart, a secret rose grows.
1 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. 2 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. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. 5 “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. 6 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. 16 “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. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 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.” (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18)
This is a powerful call to repentance and return to God, emphasizing the importance of sincere, heartfelt contrition over mere outward displays of remorse. It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to turn back and seek a relationship with the divine. The focus is on the internal state of the heart and the genuine desire to reconnect with one’s spiritual roots. It’s a beautiful expression of faith and devotion. Indeed, this is a beautiful expression of faith. It speaks to the belief in a higher power that is gracious, merciful, patient, and abundant in kindness. This sentiment is found in many religious texts and teachings, emphasizing the divine qualities of mercy, patience, and forgiveness. It serves as a reminder for us to strive to embody these qualities in our own lives.
In the quiet of the night, in the break of the day, "Return to the Lord, your God," I hear a soft voice say. With a heart full of sorrow, with tears in our eyes, we return to the Lord, under the vast skies. With fasting and weeping, with a mournful song, to the Lord, our God, we truly belong. Rend not your garments, but your hearts instead, return to the Lord, by His love be led. For His mercy is boundless, His love knows no end. In times of despair, He's our truest friend. Slow to anger, rich in kindness, He waits for our return for us to seek His face, His love in our hearts to burn. So, return with your whole heart, let no part remain, in the love of the Lord, let us be born again. For gracious is He, relenting in punishment, in His divine presence, find your heart's content.
12 Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; 13 rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. 14 Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, offerings and libations for the Lord, your God. 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly; 16 gather the people, notify the congregation; assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast; let the bridegroom quit his room, and the bride her chamber. 17 Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep, and say, “Spare, O Lord, your people, and make not your heritage a reproach, with the nations ruling over them! Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” 18 Then the Lord was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people. (Joel 2:12-18)
This is a profound expression of remorse and repentance and humble admission of guilt and heartfelt plea for forgiveness, expressing deep remorse and seeking divine mercy. It’s a recognition of one’s own failings, wrongdoings and a confession that those sins are always present in one’s consciousness, and a request for compassion and understanding. It signifies the belief that ultimately, our actions are accountable to a higher power. This sentiment is often associated with the process of repentance and reconciliation in many spiritual traditions, emphasizing the belief in a merciful and compassionate God who forgives those who sincerely repent. It’s a beautiful expression of faith and humility.
A clean heart create for me, O God, in your divine workshop, under your nod. Wipe away my offenses, my sins erase. In the mirror of my soul, let me see your face. A steadfast spirit renew within me, like a sturdy oak, strong and free. In the storms of life, let me not sway, in your path, O God, let me stay. In your goodness, O God, show me the way, In the silence of the night, in the bustle of the day. With a heart that's clean, a spirit that's steady, for your divine guidance, O God, I'm ready. In the greatness of your compassion, let me find rest. In the journey of faith, let me be the best. A clean heart, a steadfast spirit, my plea, create in me, O God, a reflection of thee.
3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 4 Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. 5 For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always. 6 “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” 12 A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. 13 Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. 14 Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. 17 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. (Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17)
God hears us and helps us, particularly in times of need. The phrase “now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” emphasizes the immediacy of God’s grace and the urgency of accepting it. It’s a reminder that every moment presents an opportunity for redemption and transformation. It’s a a powerful affirmation of faith and a call to action. Do not to take the grace of God for granted or to ignore the opportunities it provides. Receiving the grace of God in vain would mean failing to respond to it, failing to allow it to transform us, or failing to put it to good use in our lives.
We are ambassadors for Christ, in this world, we roam, carrying His message, far away from home. As if God were appealing, through our humble voice, to love, to forgive, to rejoice. In the name of Christ, we implore, open your hearts, let His love pour. Be reconciled to God, let go of strife, embrace His grace, welcome new life.. Through us, His appeal, in every word, every deed, in every seed we plant, in every soul we feed. We implore you, in Christ's name, let your heart mend, to God, your soul, let it ascend. For we are but vessels, in His grand design, through us, His divine love may shine. So, heed this call, let your spirit soar, be reconciled to God, forevermore.
20 Brothers and sisters: We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. 6:1 Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2)
Lord Jesus, the rewards for good deeds come from God the Father alone and not from public recognition or praise. The reward may not be material or immediate, but it’s promised to be greater than any earthly recognition. Please help me keep the good deeds You do in me in secret so that any act of charity or kindness be performed quietly and without public recognition. Thank You so much for capturing my heart and mind today to avoid hypocrisy and perform good deeds for my own sake, for personal praise or recognition. As always, may Your ever presence in me makes me maintain humility and sincerity in all of my actions. All glory and honor are Yours now and forever. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
TEACHING ABOUT ALMSGIVING / ABOUT PRAYER / ABOUT FASTING
Matthew 6:01-04/05-08/16-18
The Book of Joel
THE DAY OF THE LORD
Joel 2:1-18
Second Book of Psalms 42-72
THE MISERERE: PRAYER OF REPENTANCE
Psalm 51:1-21
II: The Crisis between Paul and the Corinthians - B. Paul's Ministry
THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION / THE EXPERIENCE OF THE MINISTRY
2 Corinthians 5:11-21 / 6:1-13
Reflection Source:
Copilot with Bing Chat
