June 18, 2025

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

While we have talked recently about the power of community, this reading is about the importance of our private, one-on-one relationship with God in prayer.  This is a warning not to engage in religious or spiritual practices for show or for attention.  In the reading, hypocrites make a big deal about their almsgiving in the synagogue “to win the praise of others.”  The modern corollary of this might be caring how many likes or shares our post receives on social media, or how many followers we have.  As in the previous reading, we should speak our truth and not be concerned how many people applaud it.

This reading is also about the importance of our having time for prayer, meditation, or quiet reflection alone, or if not physically alone due to family circumstances, at least focusing our attention silently alone.  What does it mean when Jesus says, “When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing”?  It means that your gift of generosity leaves no trace in your mind; you simply give, and don’t dwell on it and hang onto it as a reason to feel proud and superior to others.  Simply give; simply speak the truth.  Although this is hard at times – as hard as your left hand not knowing what your right hand is doing – this is the spiritual way.

On a personal note, as we were saying earlier, having a cross to bear, a thorn in one’s side, a constant or recurring source of emotional or physical pain, a chronic vexation – all these are grounding. They remind us of the human condition that we share with all humanity.  There will always be problems to deal with, this is normal. This painfulness is grounding and prevents us from floating away into the blissful heavenly angelic realms, much as we long to do so.  It is best to calmly accept whatever assignments God puts before us, and not to think there is some other state or something deeply wrong with this condition. It is the human way; it is the Christlike way.  As Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me” (Matthew 16). And there can also be peaceful time and refreshment in quiet prayer, in resting, and in enjoyment of nature. Amen.