another photo of monarchs who haven't flown yet may 2005

june 15, 2055

Generous Giving Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples: "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 others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."

There is a great temptation to tell others of my own good deeds. The gift to another person is easy for me. The part of not telling everyone does not come naturally to me. I have to work at keeping my mouth shut after performing an act of charity or making a donation that I am happy about. I suppose that this tendency is a leaning toward wanting to please others more than wanting to please God.

My prayers are often in secret rather than in front of others as a show. This happens naturally. As I go through a day, I observe all the shared community prayer times that I can but inbetween there is a frequent turning silently to God throughout the entire day.

My prayers are often short. God come to my assistance. God help me do the right thing. God protect the people who come to me as patients today. God guide me to the right path in this matter. I have gotten to the point that it is quite natural and automatic to pray throughout most of the day.

The time praying does not take away from my other activites but adds a strength and perservence that it more than I have ever had before in my life. I pray today for stillness in spirit as I meet the challenges of the day especially in making decisions about the health care of the people who come to me today as patients. I pray for clear judgement, compassion and wisdom from the Holy Spirit with fortitude to see that these people get what they need.