- 1. God Loves Secrets Matthew 6:1-6
2. [1] "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to
be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father
who is in heaven.
- [2] "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as
the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they
may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received
their reward.
- [3] But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing,
- [4] so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who
sees in secret will reward you.
- [5] "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites;
for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street
corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they
have received their reward.
- [6] But when 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.
3. St. Augustine
- He does not now bid us pray, but instructs us how we should
pray; as above He did not command us to do alms but showed the
manner of doing them.
4. [1] "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to
be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father
who is in heaven.
- [2] "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as
the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they
may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received
their reward.
- [3] But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing,
- [4] so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who
sees in secret will reward you.
- [5] "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites;
for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street
corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they
have received their reward.
- [6] But when 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.
5. On the necessity of giving alms
- CCC 2447 [...] Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one
of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of
justice pleasing to God: [...]
6. St. John Chrysostom
- How can it be that we should not do our alms before men?
7. The intention in our heart
- CCC 1753 [...] On the other hand, an added bad intention (such
as vainglory) makes an act evil that, in and of itself, can be good
(such as almsgiving).
- For though it is easy for any not to wish for praise when it is
denied him, it is difficult not to be pleased with it when it is
offered. - St. Augustine
8. Left hand and right hand
- Left hand -> delight in men's praise
- Right hand -> purpose of fulfiling the divine commands
9. When the heart sees God alone
- For he who does any thing for God's sake, sees nothing in his
heart but God, for whose sake he does it; - Pseudo-Chrys
10. The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses 11. Practical tips for
giving for God
- Do every little things for God e.g.: work, study, ministry,
help to others
- Offer them up to God through prayers
- Give thanks and praise God in daily prayers
- Daily examination of consience
12. [1] "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to
be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father
who is in heaven.
- [2] "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as
the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they
may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received
their reward.
- [3] But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing,
- [4] so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who
sees in secret will reward you.
- [5] "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites;
for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street
corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they
have received their reward.
- [6] But when 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.
13. About praying not to be seen by others
- Whoever then so prays as to be seen of men does not look to God
but to man, [...]
- But he whose mind in prayer is wholy fixed on God, though he
prays in the synagogue yet seems to pray with himself in
secret.
14. As Jesus also prays alone 15. Practical tips for praying
- Commit to a suitable time
- Prepare your mind and heart (use sacred pictures, cross, altar,
Bible, etc)
- Spend a fixed time for prayer
- Spend some silent moment in prayer