Almsgiving should not be flaunted or

turned into a source of pride and vanity.

Giving with an expectation of praise or

a boost to one's ego defeats the spiritual purpose of the act.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

1st Reading: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14*

(...) When Elijah and

Elisha stood by the Jordan, Elijah took his mantle, rolled it, and struck the water with it.

The water parted to both sides and they crossed over on dry ground.

After they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "What shall I do for you before I am taken away from you?

Ask me." Elisha said, "May I receive a double portion of your spirit." Elijah answered,

"Your request is most difficult. Yet if you see me while I am being taken from you,

then you shall have it. But if not, you shall not have it."

 

As they were talking on the way, a chariot of fire with horses of fire stood between them,

and Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw him (...)

When Elisha lost sight of him, he took hold of his own clothes and tore them. (...)

He took the cloak that had fallen off Elijah, hit the water with it, and asked, "Where is the Yahweh,

the God of Elijah?" When he hit the water again, it divided and Elisha crossed over.

 

Ps 31:20, 21, 24

Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Be careful not to make a show of your good deeds before people.

If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven.

When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you,

as do those who want to be noticed in the synagogues and in the streets,

in order to be praised by people. I assure you, they have their reward.

If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

 

When you pray, do not be like those who want to be noticed.

They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners, in order to be seen by everyone.

I assure you, they have their reward. When you pray, go into your room, close the door,

and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept secret will reward you.

When you fast, do not put on a miserable face, as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face,

so that people can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already.

When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, because you are not fasting for appearances or for people,

but for your Father, who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Practice with the right heart.

Jesus's words are destabilizing. After soaring high with the Beatitudes and exemplifying them

by addressing certain distortions in the Law, he details his criticism of specific attitudes typical

of both past and present religious individuals.

Almsgiving should not be flaunted or turned into a source of pride and vanity; instead,

it should reflect the compassion that inspires people to share with those in need quietly.

Jesus encourages us to give alms wisely, without being misled, and with discretion.

 

Prayer has a public face that should be approached modestly, free from unnecessary outward displays.

It serves as the instrument for a deeper, more private connection known only to God.

Like a love relationship, the intimate bond between two people is reflected in silent,

profound understanding and can produce outward signs of affection.

Fasting, a practice frequently overlooked by Christians,

is a means of gaining control over our desires and ourselves while promoting a spirit of generosity.

These three pillars of Jewish life belong to us as well. When we practice them with the right heart,

we also strengthen the three pillars of our relationships: with others, God, and ourselves.