The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062117.cfm)
reminds me that God wants us to serve him in secret, not loudly telling
others what we do for Him.
When we hear the word secret
service, we sometimes associate it with US security, agents and spies.
They work secretly and blend in as normal people as they do
their work of intelligence gathering and protection. People do not know that
they are interacting with these security personnel. In a way, this is how God
wants us to act as we do things for him.
Real service to God should be known only to God.
In the first reading, we see
that God wants us to give cheerfully. Giving is good. In fact, it was also
mentioned that we are filled and blessed so
that we can give more to others. However, we need not tell everyone who we are giving to or how much we are
giving, or why we are giving. The gospel warns us of the state of our hearts as
we do things for God – as we give, as we pray, as we offer sacrifices.
The focus should be on God, and
other people need not know we are doing these things. Focus should never be on
ourselves.
This is a good reminder for us.
Sometimes, as human beings, we want affirmation
and acknowledgement. Yes, we do things for God, but sometimes we
want to be affirmed that we are doing the right thing, or that we are appreciated
for what we do. This should not be the case. God’s
affirmation is enough. God’s approval is enough. Seeking human
approval or affirmation for things we do for God may seem harmless at first,
but this may lead us to constantly look for it, and eventually change the intention from serving God to seeking approval,
affirmation and praise.
May
we be willing to just trust in God, that he sees the service done for him in
secret, even if we do not get human affirmation, approval or acknowledgement.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another reminder. Thank
you for knowing me so much. Lord, sorry for the times I give importance to
human affirmation, acknowledgement or approval as I do things for you. sorry
for losing my focus on you as I seek these things. Lord, help me just focus in
you. help me to just do things for you, only for you. I know it pleases you.
Even if I don’t get human affirmation as I serve you, I will just continue
since I am doing things for you, not for anyone else. Purify my thoughts and my
actions as I serve you. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflection:
June 21, 2017
Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
Lectionary: 367
Reading 12 COR 9:6-11
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.
Responsorial PsalmPS 112:1BC-2, 3-4, 9
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 14:23
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 6:1-6, 16-18
"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."
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