Fasting, prayers and almsgiving are ways to God.
The important person in my life must be not myself, nor others, but only God ‘who sees in secret’.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

2kings 2:1, 6-14*

Yahweh took Elijah up to heav­en in a whirlwind.

It happened this way: Elijah and Elisha had left Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha,  Elijah said once more to Elisha, “Stay here, I beg you, for Yahweh is only sending me to the Jordan.” But Elisha answered, “I swear by Yahweh and by your life that I will never leave you.” And as they went on their way,  fifty fellow prophets of Jericho followed them at a certain distance.

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, “Grant that I may have the best 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 and cried out, “Father, my father, chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”

When Elisha lost sight of him, he took hold of his own clothes and tore them.   He then picked up the mantle which had fallen from Elijah and returned to the banks of the Jordan.  There he struck the water with the mantle, but it did not part. So he asked, “Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?” And as he struck the water again it parted. 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 righteousness 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 seen in the synagogues and in the streets in order to be praised by the people. I assure you, they have been already paid in full.

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 seen. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have already been paid in full.  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 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：

Facebooking Charity

There was a time we were deeply ashamed and  angry at the violation of personal space if someone read our private diaries. However, in this age of social media, we love publicize every thought, feeling, or action of ours – be it via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsAPP, etc. – and we are heartbroken if a sizeable number of people hasn’t seen, read, or “liked” it! Whereas the social media is a blessing in many ways, one cannot but wonder if it hasn’t overfed our narcissistic impulses, to the point of even hurting others.

 

Even within the Church, there is an increasing tendency to publicize every little good we do . Imagine publishing a photo of some poor students receiving donated clothes, with these students having to face their peers in schools with the label” the poor”! The necessity of documentation of charitable works is understandable; but if and when it amounts to narcissistic chest – thumping or worse, to poverty-porn that humiliates the poor and the needy, we are violating the Gospel.