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‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds in public to attract attention.’
Matthew 6:1-6, 16- 18
Jesus did not mean to discourage us from doing good deeds. The ‘poor will always be with us’ and we are expected to perform the corporal works of mercy. We are being cautioned that if our earthly deeds are going to determine our final reward then we must get it right.
Why do we do the good? Is it to be admired by others, to look good, to fool others into thinking highly of us? If so, then we are hypocrites as the reading says. Nevertheless, the people we help will still benefit whatever our motive.
It’s not about them but about us because God can see even our most secret thoughts. Often, we are disappointed or angry when our deeds are not reciprocated or we are not showered with gratitude. When someone thanks us do we remember to direct them to the right person : the giver of all good things?
Let us try to cultivate the virtue of humility and point them in the right direction by saying ‘Don’t thank me, thank God’
