WEDNESDAY OF THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME JUNE 15, 2022

MASS READINGS

A reading from the holy Gospel according to 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

“And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Pride has no place in the presence of the Lord. It is a bad habit that can become our master.

Is it insecurity, lack of confidence, need for acceptance or need to be appreciated that causes us to want to brag or let people know what we have done?

We are told that a celebrity donated so much for a particular cause. Or the cameras are present when they go to the site of a tragedy. But in everyday America, we too, seek the kudos of what we do and what we have done.

Jim M was the antithesis of what we have seen in social media. A Vietnam veteran, he died a few weeks ago of Parkinson's Disease, a complication from exposure to Agent Orange. His brothers did not know nor did his friends that in the one tour of Vietnam he was in charge of coordinating air support for our ground forces there. He earned many medals and commendations, including 2 AF Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 AF commendation Medals and 1 Army Commendation Medal. He and other FAC pilots saved countless lives on the ground.

No one knew of the many medals, yet there was a hint of daredevil piloting, but never once was he the topic of his accomplishments. It was not till he died and his family looked through the box of his mementos, that his brothers and friends were made aware of his heroics. RIP, Jim.

In today's Gospel Jesus teaches us how to pray, fast and give alms.

Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are a means to an end. These three in the catechism #1434 express conversion in relation to ourselves, to God and to others. We are seeking a personal relationship with God — personal is the key. A secret bond between God and me. Our daily life should be all about our relationship with God. He knows what we do, He knows why we did it and He knows the state of our hearts.

Let’s focus on God so we can grow in God’s image.

As with any personal relationship, it’s the time spent alone with another growing in communion with love that is most important.

"There is one thing I ask of the Lord, only this do I seek: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life."

(Psalm 27)

God Bless You