6/18/2025 (Wednesday) Today’s Gospel reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:
1 “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.
16 “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.
17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 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.”

6/18/2025 (Wednesday) Today’s Gospel reflection: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

There is something deeply countercultural about the way Jesus teaches us to live. In a world where recognition is celebrated and applause is chased, He calls us to a quieter, more hidden kind of righteousness, a life that is lived for an audience of One and not the multitude.

We often seek validation from others, whether through our acts of kindness, our prayers, or even our sacrifices. It’s tempting to want others to notice when we give, when we pray, or when we make spiritual commitments. We might not say it aloud, but deep within, there’s a part of us that craves affirmation. Social media amplifies this tendency. A simple gesture of generosity or a moment of spiritual devotion can quickly become public content. But Jesus offers a different path.

He invites us to look inward. To examine not just what we do, but why and how we do it . Are we living for the applause of people, or are we living in the quiet presence of God? The answer to that question reveals where our hearts truly are.

When you give to help someone in need, Jesus doesn’t just see the action. He sees the motive. If the giving is done to build your image or earn praise, then that human approval is all the reward you’ll receive. But if it flows from a heart that longs to reflect God’s mercy and love, then it carries eternal value, whether anyone sees it or not.

In the same way, prayer isn’t meant to be a performance. It’s not about crafting the perfect words or being noticed for our spirituality. God isn’t impressed by our eloquence. He’s moved by our sincerity. True prayer is an intimate conversation, not a speech. It happens in the quiet places, where no one is watching but Him. In those sacred moments, our words don’t need to be many. They just need to be real.

Fasting, too, is not for show. It’s a spiritual discipline that draws us closer to God, not a badge of holiness to wear for others to admire. When we fast or make personal sacrifices, it’s not about looking weary or making sure people notice our effort. It’s about humbling ourselves before God, not lifting ourselves up in front of others.

What Jesus teaches us here is both freeing and challenging. It’s freeing because we no longer need to live under the pressure of performance. God doesn’t require a spotlight. He requires sincerity. It’s challenging because it forces us to wrestle with our hidden motives. Living this way demands honesty with ourselves and complete trust in God’s unseen reward.

This hidden life, this secret righteousness, is powerful. It shapes our character. It deepens our intimacy with God. And paradoxically, it causes our lives to shine more brightly than if we were trying to impress the world. Not because others see what we’re doing, but because God transforms us from the inside out.

There is great peace in knowing that we are seen by God even when the world overlooks us. There is deep strength in serving, praying, and sacrificing in secret, trusting that God values what is unseen. He is the God who watches in the quiet, who hears in the silence, and who rewards in ways that far surpass human applause.

So today, let us live for the One who sees in secret. Let our giving be generous, our prayers be honest, and our sacrifices be joyful, not to gain approval, but to deepen your relationship with the Father. In doing so, you’ll find that the hidden life with God is the most fulfilling life of all.

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