Are you tempted to show off acts of mercy that you do for the needy? Hold it! There’s only one Audience to whom it matters most - Daily Reflections June 15,2016

DEEDS DONE WITHOUT POMP

 

Our Gospel reading today is also the one read every Ash Wednesday. It may seem strange, right? But when you simply consider the threefold Lenten precept of fasting, prayer and almsgiving, then it makes perfect sense.

       In other words, fasting, prayer and almsgiving need not be limited only to the Lenten season. Any time can be a moment for us to act, in terms of sacrificing something — be it time, food and drink, and superfluous material possessions — for the sake of the less fortunate and more needy. Such sacrifice, our Lord tells us, ought to be done without fanfare or ostentatiousness.

    Take note: it isn’t only power-hungry politicians who are epal (flauntingly thick-skinned). We are all often tempted to post “press releases,” trumpet our achievements, brag about our accomplishments. There were unfortunate instances of this during that most memorable visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines on January 15-19, 2015. But there was also an overriding theme which gave guidance and meaning to the whole event: “Mercy and Compassion.”

       It was fittingly so. For with that, myriads of possibilities were available to practice those two virtues, especially by means of corporal and spiritual works of mercy. These are concrete helpful deeds, like feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, burying the dead, praying for the living and dead, and so on. But again, such deeds ought to be done without pomp.

       Jesus teaches us that if we carry out these works, we have the best audience of all — no other than God Himself. And that should be enough. To Him then — and certainly not to our fellow mortals — do we rightfully “show off” our accomplishments. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you tempted to show off acts of mercy that you do for the needy? Hold it! There’s only one Audience to whom it matters most.

 

Dearest Lord, keep me from desiring earthly reward and recognition for any good deed that I do. Help me to always remember that my true reward awaits me in heaven. Amen.