[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. 2 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. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
5 “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. 6 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. 7 In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting were a reflection of one’s relationship with God in ancient Israel and were essential elements of living a pious life (Tobit 12:8). Jesus explains the pious act, its abuse, condemns the abuse, and then gives advice. Jesus warns his followers not to make a public showing of almsgiving because that indicates that they are not doing it out of love of God or neighbor but for praise from others which will reap them no spiritual reward. There is no true righteousness in such actions and reflecting on one’s own good deeds is spiritually unhealthy. God sees everything so the sincere good you do in secret will be rewarded by the Father.
Jesus is not condemning communal prayer as most Christian Churches have and he does not condemn praying in the streets as Muslims may do. Prayer should be a sincere personal communion with God. Praying in public to appear pious is condemned by Jesus. Since God knows what we need before we ask him, our prayer should be brief and done in private as it is for our benefit, not God’s benefit. Sincerity, simplicity, and the right intention are the hallmarks of true devotion which leads to intimacy with God.
Almighty God, teach us to make our acts of almsgiving, prayer and fasting with true devotion and sincerity of heart so that our offerings may be acceptable to God and used for the benefit of others. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Comments