Wednesday June 18th: Relationship with God, self, and others

“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

We live in a culture that promotes public recognition for donations, achievements, status, virtuous deeds; often, to please people, to gain human praise, notice and honor. Jesus is teaching us another lesson/way, one that is truly righteous.

We are called to become more pious/righteous in our relationships – with God, self, and others. In so doing, we must reflect deeply on our motives. Jesus gives us a model for practicing and becoming pious/righteous – Almsgiving, Praying and Fasting.

He adds a disposition, “in secret,” not for praise by others, nor recognition, nor even self-praise, feeling good nor building the ego. The right hand must not know what the left hand is doing. It is a disposition that rejects the consumerist culture of self-satisfaction.

These acts of piety are to bring us into conversion in our relationship with God, self, and others. These are not separate moments, but all intertwined like the ingredients – flour, water, yeast, and salt, for making bread that sustains us. Each act of piety/righteousness allows us to be nearer to God.