DGeMs- Daily Gospel eMessage
Dear Friend in the Lord,
“Advent Season” – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautioned us on how we should pray and give alms. He says that we must never be hypocritical. We are to: “Give alms in secret and pray in private. And, when God our Father sees our sincerity, He will reward us.” Ponder on, “St Ignatius of Loyola says, that our purpose in life is to praise, reverence and serve God.”
Fr Philip Heng, S.J.
Matthew 6:4-6, 17-18
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
‘But when you fast, put scent on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’