St. Romuald, Abbot Read:    2 Kgs 2: 1, 6-14        Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18

DAILY PRAYER

“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father… Do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them…”  (Mt 6:1-5)

Much of our giving is too easily denigrated into acts of self-adoration, social presumption, and haughtiness rather than opportunities to give alms, charitable works, sacrificial giving, and occasions to serve.  Rather than desiring to use our goods to serve our neighbor and to praise  Almighty God, we use our money and things to gain and build up our narcissistic selves.

Jesus used the symbol of the cross to invite us to love.  Each time we join the Lord and give up ourselves and our goods, we revisit the Passion of our Lord and join in His sufferings. 

To place ourselves at the center of attention and as a vehicle for our glorification seems to me to be almost diabolic.

So many people of seeming good will give “with strings (cables) attached.” They want their memorial plaque, applause, recognition, “thank yous”, reports, etc.  And to many, no sign of gratitude is enough. Yet Jesus says: “When you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (Mt 6:3)

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 22:24-25 “You who fear the LORD, give praise!  For God has not spurned or disdained the misery of this poor wretch.” 

St. Romuald, d. 1027; Founder of the Camaldolese order.  He spent 30 years traversing Italy, founding and reforming monasteries and hermitages.

OUR PRAYER CONTINUES