Matthew 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 be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Reflection

Almsgiving, prayer, fasting: Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting are three distinctive acts of Jewish piety in Matthew’s community.

In presenting almsgiving, prayer, and fasting done in a hidden manner, Matthew is upholding the practice, but reinterpreting the motivation. All three of these acts demonstrate absolute dependence on God and absolute dependence on others to share the gifts of God.

By turning these righteous deeds into secret acts, Matthew eliminates the motivation of being publicly seen.

What deeds are done in secret will be rewarded in secret by God, when God decides (for Matthew, this occurs at the judgment of the nations [25:31-46]). Until that time, whenever it is, the community does deeds of righteousness because this is the behavior which pleases God. One acts like God, who is hidden, by doing the good deeds of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting privately.

Furthermore, such secret deeds eliminate judgment. If almsgiving, prayer, and fasting cannot be seen, then no one can judge who is engaged in these deeds and who is not. People cannot be known by their fruits, Matthew is saying.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.)