Inward Reality

Today’s Gospel Text:  "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.

16 "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: There is the outwardly appearance and there is the inwardly truth in all of life situations.

A fish may appear colorful and appealing outwardly but may be the most poisonous when consumed or a poison may smell alluring but could be lethal.

A man and a woman could upbraid themselves in fantastic jewelries and costumes and yet inwardly could be full of viciousness. 

Jesus similarly warns of such dangers when he admonishes the Scribes and Pharisees:

 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Matt 23:27-28

We could know these warnings of Jesus and with all good intention seek to practice the virtues in sincerity and yet fail the Lord:

We could avoid practicing our piety before men, because Jesus says so, and yet be hypocrites in our own ways.

We could be practicing perfect charity by not letting our left hand know what the right hand is doing and yet we could stand condemned before the law of Christ.

You could be praying in public and at street corners and yet not stand condemned as a hypocrite or it could be the other round, praying privately and stand condemned for hypocrisy.

You could be fasting and put on the best face and still can stand guilty of sin. 

Why so? Are we contradicting what Jesus has taught us?

No, if we have not picked up the spirit of the law of Christ and thus if we do not submit our inner spirit to be renewed by the law of Christ (Rom. 12:1-2) then we are bound to fail and our Christianity will continue to remain like that of the Scribes and the Pharisees.

Prayer: Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Ps 51:6

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