4/16 My Monologues & Musings : I want show off (Mt 6: 16-21)
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Jesus
Dear Lord Jesus,
It is so natural for to show off that I am a Praying priest, a pious priest! At times I wonder whether I am putting up a show of being a Praying priest and a spiritual person.
Many a times I have caught myself of being a hypocrite! For example, I could sit in the church all by myself with closed eyes go ing out the impression of praying silently
But in fact my mind would be wandering around.
Often I do go on trumpeting the little good work I do or help I give!
As look back I do identify many of my behaviors, my interventions, my pastoral activities, my teaching assignments were really meant to make name for myself. I did and continue to gloat over my achievements and accomplishments.
As look back I feel ashamed of those actions which did make a mockery of myself! Sure, I do have made some progress, but still a long way to go.
As a young priest many of my priestly and pastoral activities were driven by ambition!
As you said my ‘treasure’ was my ambition and so my heart used to hang around the goal of gathering applause and appreciation!
That was part of me, Lord.
You know me through and through,
Don't you, Lord!
Oh, dear Jesus,
I want to continue to keep an eye on my unbridled desire for applause!
Thank you, for bearing with me so long!
Oh, Jesus, My Lord and My God,
I thank you for your :
Unsolicited gift of life for me!
Uncountable blessings for me!
Unlimited Patience with me!
Untold Forgiveness for me!
Unflinching faith in me!
Unfailing Hope in me!
Unconditional Love of me!
Amen
JoAchen
Monday, 4th January, 2016
Dear Reader,
These Reflections are neither pure scientific exegesis nor are they any highly theological explanations. They are a part of my journaling of the Prodigal Priest in me as I struggle to return to the Home of our Heavenly Father.As I keep holding you in my prayers and I request you to include me in yours. 
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