Your Father Sees in Secret

June 20, 2007

Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

By Diane Bayne

"Brothers and sister, consider this:
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully,
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
God can multiply his favors among you
so that you may always have enough of everything
and even a surplus for good works, as it is written:
'He scattered abroad and gave to the poor,
his justice endures forever.'" 2 Corinthians 9: 6-10


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. . . .
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." Matthew 6: 2-4

Piety

With these teachings Jesus describes the heart of piety-- the interior attitudes that are to animate our almsgiving and to be expressed in every detail of the way we conduct ourselves during acts of charity. These acts are to be done for the glory of God alone and not for any self-promotion or self-glorification. These acts are to express our love for God. Immersed in that love, as we share God's blessings to us, we will not entertain the slightest thought for human esteem--or for self-esteem. Our focus will be totally on the Lord. And we will be careful to not tell anyone anything about what we have done.

Study

Examine your recent charitable bequests--whether they be writing checks to worthy causes, spending time with a person in need, volunteering your serves or donating material goods to a local charity. Would these good works meet Christ's standards for charitable giving?

Action

Today, think of some good work you could do without telling anyone else about it--not even your spouse. Then do it.