(Audio)
Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
We need to be aware of our motives when we're doing good deeds, giving alms, praying, or fasting. We are driven by the desire for recognition to a greater degree than we probably realize. We may be used to using earthly rewards as motivation to do these works of mercy. And in some sense, they are better done than not done. But we are called to move higher. We are called to a place of freedom from the need to be seen and approved.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
We aren't meant to chase rewards in temporary things. After all, the praise of others is fleeting. It isn't a sustainable source of happiness. Yet aren't we regularly tempted to broadcast the good things we do? On the one hand, encouraging others can be a valid reason to do things like sharing one's donation on Facebook. But how many times to we disclose our good deeds to others simply out of pride, rather than attempting to be a good example? Particularly, with fasting and other forms of penance, the temptation to tell others can seem like such a good idea. Then, when we actually do it, we realize that much of the spiritual power has gone out of whatever we are doing.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
We are called to make pleasing the Father the motive of our prayer, our fasting, and our alms-giving. We need to get beyond using recognition as motivation. We need to even get beyond our own need to think well of ourselves as motivation. Rather than spending time contemplating what our right hand is doing we can seek the Father as our reward. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving help create space within us. We can choose how we will allow it to be filled.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.
When we care less about earthly rewards we are more able to ask sincerely for heavenly rewards and spiritual gifts. We become the stewards who were faithful in less and so are entrusted with more.
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.”
“You have asked something that is not easy,” Elijah replied.
Elisha was trained by his time with Elijah. He learned to be zealous for the LORD and care about him above all else. Because of this God was able to bestow great power on him, knowing that he wouldn't just use it for show, nor for his own glory.
Elisha struck the water in his turn and said,
“Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?”
When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over.
Perhaps the LORD desires to give us a double portion of his Spirit as well. But perhaps he is hesitating because if we received it at this moment we would try to show off and be impressive and thereby undermine the whole thing.
“As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live,
I will not leave you,” Elisha replied.
Let us cling to Jesus today. Let us learn from him to seek the Father as our one reward. This will make us ready for the gifts he desires to give us. And since the world is desperate to receive these gifts from us let us not hold back.
Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!
The LORD keeps those who are constant,
but more than requites those who act proudly.
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