Absorbed in Self glory

Today’s Gospel: "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.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matt 6:1-6, 16-18

Reflection:  Who doesn’t seek attention? But the degree of seeking varies, some seek it in all humility, some seek it in abundance and therefore are assumingly humble, very rarely you will find the true humility that doesn't easily seek attention. 

Attention seeking is a very deadly disease in our day, whether through writings or through creative activities or through use of other people to promote oneself and ones pet ideas.  

If one thinks that it only happens on the stage or in some public gatherings then one is absolutely wrong.  It can be in one’s own eyes we could be attentions seekers, living in a dream world. We may externally manifest a simplicity but internally carry a pride of self glory that is an abhorrence before God.

One has only to sit quietly in prayer and if one allows the Holy Spirit to search one’s heart and conscience then they would find themselves most of the time absorbed in thoughts of self glory. 

We were created to love and serve God and we rarely realize that we in the act of serving God serve ourselves more than God, absorbed in our glory rather than the greater glory of God.

In the gospel reading of today Jesus warns us about such hypocrisy and expects us to deal with this disease of self glory.  What better time than the season of lent.

Prayer:  Lord, may this sacred season be a source of unending joy as I seek to love you and follow you closely.

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