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Backyard Problems? 4

The document discusses Jesus' teachings about acting righteously in secret rather than to be seen by others. It says we should give alms, pray, and fast privately and not to appear outwardly religious to gain praise. True righteousness comes from acting sincerely for God rather than for human approval or reward. We must reflect Christ's truth in our thoughts and actions, not just pretend to follow him. Holding up truth, even in an age of fake news, shows we are faithful followers of Christ.

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蔡松柏
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27 views

Backyard Problems? 4

The document discusses Jesus' teachings about acting righteously in secret rather than to be seen by others. It says we should give alms, pray, and fast privately and not to appear outwardly religious to gain praise. True righteousness comes from acting sincerely for God rather than for human approval or reward. We must reflect Christ's truth in our thoughts and actions, not just pretend to follow him. Holding up truth, even in an age of fake news, shows we are faithful followers of Christ.

Uploaded by

蔡松柏
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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11TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

ACTING IN SECRET
Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

But take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that


people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense
from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a
trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and
in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.

But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what
your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And
your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand
and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others
may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their
reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the
door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who
sees in secret will repay you. When you fast, do not look gloomy
like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, 
so that they may appear to others to be
fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have
received their reward. But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face, so
that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden. And
your Father who sees what is hidden will
repay you.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN
TO BE TRUTHFUL?
Truthfulness means that one acts sincerely and speaks honestly.
The truthful individaul guards against double-dealing,
misrepresentation, malicious deception, and hypocrisy. The worst
form of untruthfulness is perjury. (2468, 2476)

A great evil in all communities is slander of other people and


malicious gossip: A tells B "confidentially" something derogatory
that C said about B.

Here we are at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount, which in


turn is the heart of the Gospel of Jesus. Our life must reflect in our
thoughts and actions that Christ is our way, our truth and our life.
We mustn’t just pretend. No heroism is expected of us. Pope
Francis once said: "This holiness, to which the Lord calls you, will
grow with small gestures.” If in the age of “fake news” we hold up
the truth, we are true followers of Christ, faithful and close to the
desire that God has for each one of us.
- Marcos Luiz Cabral da Silva

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