Dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord Jesus give you peace. At Mass today, we will hear about the nature of genuine righteousness and Christian generosity in our readings. St. Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, encourages us to sow generously, trusting in God's abundant grace. Jesus, in the Gospel of Matthew, reminds us that our acts of piety—giving alms, praying, fasting—must be rooted in sincerity and humility, not in seeking human praise.
St. Paul writes, "God loves a cheerful giver," emphasizing that our giving should flow from joy and love, not obligation or pride. The Church Fathers, such as Saint Augustine, reflect on this: true charity is a reflection of God's own nature—free, generous, and joyful. Augustine teaches us that when we give, we participate in God's creating and sustaining love, distributing His grace through our acts.
The Aurea Catena notes that God, as the ultimate source of all good, provides seed to the sower—meaning, He gives us the grace and resources to do good. When we sow generously, trusting in God's provision, we align ourselves with His righteousness, which endures forever. This echoes the teaching of the early Church Fathers: our acts of charity are not merely human deeds but participation in divine life.
In the Gospel, Jesus warns against performing righteous deeds for show. The hypocrites, as described, seek human applause—an attitude condemned by the Church Fathers like John Chrysostom, who emphasized that true piety is inward and sincere. When we give, pray, or fast, our goal should be communion with God, not impressing others.
The Fathers often cited the importance of humility. For example, the phrase, "so that your almsgiving may be secret," reminds us that God sees what is hidden—our true motives. Origen taught that the soul's purity is revealed in the secret acts of devotion, which purify the heart and align us more closely with God's will.
Jesus' instruction to anoint the head and wash the face when fasting is a call to dignity and humility. The Church Fathers, like Gregory the Great, encouraged believers to maintain integrity and modesty in their spiritual practices, avoiding external displays that seek human admiration.
Furthermore, the practice of secret giving and prayer fosters authentic relationship with God, who sees what is hidden. Such humility transforms our acts from mere rituals into genuine encounters with divine love.
To live according to these teachings, we must cultivate sincerity in our actions. As St. John Chrysostom said, “Do your deeds secretly, so that your Father, who sees what is done in secret, may reward you openly.” Our spiritual life should be characterized by humility, trust in God's grace, and a desire to serve others out of love, not for recognition.
Brothers and sisters, today's readings challenge us to examine our motives and the manner in which we practice our faith. Let us remember that God delights in cheerful, humble giving and sincere devotion. When we act from the heart—trusting in God's grace and seeking His approval—we participate in divine righteousness and become true witnesses of Christ's love.
May the Holy Spirit guide us to a deeper sincerity and humility, so that all our acts of charity and piety may be pleasing in God's sight, leading us closer to His eternal kingdom. Amen
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