Gospel
MT 6:1-6, 16-18
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. 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. 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.
"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. 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.
"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. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
Reflection:
“But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.”
Today, the girls in our family got together and read the Gospel reading from Matthew 6.
We discussed how Jesus wanted his disciples to pray. One of my daughters said her favorite way to pray is in secret ( just between she and Jesus). She said that when she prays in this way, it helps her to connect with Jesus. This way of praying gives her the spiritual nourishment she needs to be able to go out and be a disciple for Jesus. Her sister agreed with her and said that the Saints would do this often. She said that Saint Faustina, Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Theresa were just a few that she knew prayed interiorly.
The girls said that they feel that the Lord has given us the Saints so that we have examples of how to live our lives. The Saints took scripture readings such as this one and lived them out in their own lives. We are also called to do the same.
We also talked about how parents will help their children and guide them to make good decisions, or keep them from getting hurt by teaching them good skills in life. We felt that Jesus was teaching His disciple like a good parent would teach their children.
In the PAPA handbook, we have an acronym by the letters - PGA, we also have PSB, PWD, and The 5 P's of Preparation. Remember what these letters stand for?
Here is a hint: The first letter is about what we have been talking about in this reflection.
We pray that all PAPA members will keep reading their handbook and that we continue to pray for priests while lifting each other up in prayer as well.
May God Bless us all!
