From the Gospel according to 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 others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
A Treasure for a Handful of Coins
The Lord knows us very well. He knows that our hearts are disordered, inclined towards vanity, recognition, and the desire for applause. How subtle self-love can be! How skilfully it disguises itself, hiding even behind the holiest of actions. Outwardly, everything may appear right and proper, yet the heart can still revolve around itself.
But Jesus does not stop at pointing out our weakness. Like a good physician, He first reveals the wound and then leads us to the remedy. That is why today He directs our gaze towards the Father:
“Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
The Father sees what no one else sees. What comfort there is in that truth! In daily life, we make countless quiet sacrifices, hidden acts of love and service that go unnoticed by everyone around us. Yet God sees them all. Nothing is lost. No act of love is ever forgotten.
The Father’s gaze also speaks to us of a different kind of reward. So often we find ourselves begging for a word of appreciation, a gesture of admiration, a sign that our efforts have been noticed, when God wishes to give us something infinitely greater.
Jesus repeats this promise no fewer than six times:
“Your Father will reward you.”
It is as though He wants to engrave those words upon our hearts. One senses His sadness when He sees us exchange an eternal reward for a fleeting applause, a priceless treasure for a handful of coins, settling for so little when the Father longs to give us everything.
Brought into Married Life
Stephen had the afternoon free. He used the time to take the car in for servicing, collect some medication from the chemist, and on the way to pick up the children from school, he also did the weekly shop.
By the time Louise arrived home, dinner was ready and the children were already tucked up in bed. She ate quickly and went straight upstairs, as she had an early start the following morning.
Stephen gave her a gentle kiss and, after taking the rubbish out, he too went to bed.
Louise had not noticed any of what he had done.
Not a single word of thanks.
Not a comment.
Nothing.
Before falling asleep, Stephen prayed quietly in his heart:
“Lord, thank You because today I was able to love in secret. It is enough for me that You have seen it. Keep this small act of love within Your Heart. Thank You because You saw everything. How beautiful it is to love with You. Thank You, Jesus.”
Mother,
Help us never to exchange the treasures of Heaven for the applause of the world. Keep our small acts of love safe within your Immaculate Heart.
Blessed are you, Mother!