The inner journey

Gospel 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.
Lent starts today with Ash Wednesday.  What a beautiful reading on putting God first.  Jesus knows that we can be motivated (too much) by what others think of us - we have a deep need for approval from others.   This need can show up in different ways.  Sometimes we tithe, perform good deeds, or even pray to "look good."  Jesus cautions us to examine our intentions and make sure we do these things to honor God.  Jesus even goes so far as to give these guidelines for prayer: "go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret."  The path to holiness is often an inner journey where we open our heart and soul to God.