Wednesday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time, Year A. June 21, 2017
1st Reading:Second Corinthians 9:6-11.
Brothers and sisters, 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. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God. The word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm:112(111):1-2.3-4.9.
R/.Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Holy 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 be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” The gospel of the Lord.
WEDNESDAY REFLECTIONS:
Very often when we do something good, we want others to see. We want them to be aware of how good we are. Why? Because it feels good to be recognized and honored by others. But Jesus tells us to do the complete opposite. Jesus tells us that when we do a work of charity, fast or pray we should do it in a hidden way. In other words, we should not do it so as to be noticed and praised by others. It’s not that there is anything wrong with others seeing our goodness. Rather, Jesus’ teaching goes to the heart of our motivations for our good actions. He’s trying to tell us that we should act in a holy way because we want to grow close to God and serve His will, not so that we can be recognized and praised by others.
Are we content with God and God alone seeing our good actions? Are we OK with no one else recognizing our selflessness and acts of love? Hopefully the answer is “Yes.” Holiness is especially found in our hidden lives. There, where we are seen only by God, we must act in a way that pleases God. We must live a life of virtue, prayer, sacrifice and self-giving when only God sees. If we can live this way in our hidden lives, we can also be certain that our hidden life of grace will affect others in a way that only God can orchestrate. When we strive for holiness in a hidden way, God sees that and uses it for good. This hidden life of grace becomes the foundation for who we are and how we interact with others. They may not see all we do, but they will be affected by the goodness within our souls.
Together we pray: Lord, help me to live a hidden life of grace. Help me to serve You even when no one sees. From the solitude of those moments, bring forth Your grace and mercy for the world. Jesus, I trust in You that You alone will heal our sick brethren and set them free. May the souls of our faithful departed brethren rest in perfect peace, amen.