Piety

Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Gracious Creator, source of all goodness

help us to seek your face every morning

for you lift the night's  gloom and darkness

and set our feet on the way every day.

You taught your disciples how to pray

and how to be servants of the living God

you modeled for them a way of service

a life of humility and compassion.

Too often we seek rewards and honors

too often we are greedy for human praise

we wallow in pity so others will tend us

when the crisis is of our own making.

Lord, help us to live as your beloved

humble, honorable and steadfast

may our love for you be seen daily

as we love and lift up our neighbors. Amen.