Word to the Wise
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 - Wednesday in the 11th Week in Ordinary Time
[2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14 and Matt 6:1-6, 16-18]WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016. WEDNESDAY IN THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18] "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in other that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your Heavenly Father." [Matthew] The Sermon on the Mount today touches on human motivation and its relationship to behavior. Why do we do what we do, especially when our behavior would ordinarily be considered pious or even beneficial to our neighbor? For example, am I kind to this person so that I will gain financially from this person or from people close to this person? I am intrigued by the kindness of "anonymous donors," whom I think of when Jesus speaks about publicity oriented donors. I notice, too, as I walk around a campus, the names of persons whose generosity helped build this or that building. One of the common points of philanthropy nowadays is "naming rights." Jesus applies the same question to our "religious behavior" or piety. Do we make a point of doing pious things only when we know that others will see us doing these things? Isn't good example important? Aren't we supposed to "let our light shine before others?" Shouldn't we get some satisfaction from doing the right thing? It takes a lifetime of continual effort to "purify our motives." Discipleship touches on all human needs and emotions. The Sermon on the Mount challenges us all as disciples to keep our faith focused on the gospel and not on power and recognition. This kind of challenge will always be continual. AMEN
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