Reflections on Scripture | Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
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."

Reflection

Jesus calls those who are trying to impress other people as hypocrites. Because it is not only that they're telling them that they're doing something and they should be honored, but they are actually not doing anything.

So there's no real reward in that for them. The things that Jesus is asking us to do are classic things to pray, to fast, to be generous. He just says, look if you want the reward of those, if you want those things to become in you, that which they are intended to be, something that transforms you, lifts you to a higher level of consciousness.

If you don't do them, you're not going to get any reward. So what He’s really praying that we have is authenticity.

Closing Prayer

Father, give us authenticity. Help us to be honest with ourselves. If we do a practice that our religion calls us to, we need to do it with the intention that it transforms us and changes us. Not because it looks good that we're there or participating. Do this for us. We need this kind of help because the other is so easy to fall into and we ask this In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflections Archives

Kyle Cross