February 13th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Concerning Alms-giving

‘Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

 ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Concerning Prayer

 ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Concerning Fasting

 ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Concerning Treasures

 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Reflection
Be genuine. Don't be fake or put on about yourself. Put ego aside and be a real person. A Child of God knows that God is Father, Son and Spirit. A child doesn't act like a hypocrite so why should we? Stop trying to impress someone else with sickening "Church Lady" stuff.

It's what moves you that counts in all things. Jesus Christ moves us to action. The Holy Spirit moves us to action. God the Father moves us to action. We see God's love and are moved to respond. We know God's grace through Jesus genuine life, ministry, healing, suffering, death and resurrection.

Be genuine... put behind that sickening churchy stuff intended to impress someone else with how "good" you are. It's not about you! It's about God... always. About love.

Prayer
Lord, I come to you this day, humble and in need. I need a Savior. Open my eyes to see Jesus. Open my heart to see, hear, feel and understand you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen