The glamour of this world often encourages us to engage in practices only for public acclaim. Today’s gospel sternly cautions us about the same.
#Reflectonthis #DailyReflection https://youtu.be/8xHnU-i4DLI

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you - The –Gospel of the Lord.

Reflection
‘Beware’ is how the Lord begins today’s gospel teaching, cautioning us right from the start, but what is he cautioning us about? If we read further, he goes on to give us a specific list of dos and don’ts as we journey with him through the season of lent which begins today. The passage categorically speaks about ‘rewards’, some of which we have already received, and some which our Father has reserved for us. What do all these rewards signify? Let’s find out.
Lent is intended to be a time of true repentance; an opportunity to closely examine our lives, acknowledge our sins and renew our commitment to God. It helps us to cut ourselves off from the world and deepen our relationship with Jesus by walking along the path he trod. Prayer, fasting or abstinence and acts of charity are some of the practices we adopt during this period to help us develop a sense of discipline, austerity and empathy. This, consequently, serves to increase our dependence on God. Hence it is crucial to examine our motives when we adopt these practices, so that they don’t become mere rituals that have to be followed, but meaningful devotions observed with utmost humility and reverence.
Our Lord has pointedly mentioned that these gracious acts need to be done discreetly and should be a personal experience between us and God - that will bring him all the glory and honor. However, if we engage in making a public display of it, insist on blowing our trumpet and posing for flashlights, all for garnering worldly acclaim, then we will relinquish the eternal rewards our Father has kept aside for us in Heaven. As Jesus says in today’s passage: you have already received your reward here on earth; you’re not gonna get another one in heaven.

We should never forget that we are ambassadors for Christ (See 2 Corinthians 5:20), so our lives should reflect his virtues. He cautions us because there are people watching who can be influenced by our words and actions; hence we must be mindful and sensitive and do nothing to let him down. “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing” (See Joel 2:12-13). He urges us to return to him with truly repentant hearts as he waits for us with open arms to receive us with love. (See Luke 15:20, Luke 15:7)

So let’s be quiet as we meaningfully begin this season of lent and allow the noise of our silence to resound in heaven. God bless you!