Eleventh Wednesday of Ordinary Time

From the Word of the Day

 Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.

(Matthew 6, 1)

 How should we live this Word

 Jesus puts us on our guard against what we may well call ‘pollution of human activity’, doing good but in order to appear just and sinless in the eyes of others, doing good more to please others than to please God.  Jesus gives Himself to us in the Eucharist each day precisely to help us to enter into communion with God.  It is the gift of strength to help us live the truth of ourselves, without any masks.

 Jesus stigmatizes these masks with a teaching rich in images that are purposely paradoxical, ironic, and very effective.  Think of the expression, ‘blow a trumpet before you’ so that all may be aware that you are giving alms.  Then there is, ‘do not let your left hand know what your right is doing’, an eloquent indication that our giving must be discreet and humble.  Finally there is the beautiful admonition to avoid a gloomy attitude in our sacrifice and renouncement, ‘but when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face’.

 Those who listened to Jesus were right in saying, ‘No one has ever spoken like this before!’

 Today as I pause for silent contemplation, I will close the door of my senses to every noise and distraction and I will seek the Lord in the depths of my being.

 Father, I abandon myself to You.  Do with me what You will!

 The voice of Esichio, ancient Church Father

 Put aside every study.  Clean and adorn the home of your heart with the adorable and holy name of Jesus as with the light of a lamp.