Hello everyone, welcome back! My name is Elise Brooklyn and this is Scattering Flowers, a podcast where we scatter flowers of faith.
Today is Wednesday, June 19th and we will be reading Matthew 6, 1-6 and 16-18.
Follow along in your Bible if you have one.
Now let’s read Matthew 6, 1-6 and 16-18.
Beware of practicing your piety before men, in order to be seen by them.
For then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Thus when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men.
Truly I say to you, they have 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 in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men.
Truly I say to you, they have their reward.
But when you pray, go to 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 when you fast, do not look dismissal like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men.
Truly I say to you, they have their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees you in secret will reward you.
Do you have chores you have to do each week?
I do.
I keep my room clean, I help vacuum, and I help with the dishes.
Even though sometimes I don’t enjoy them, I still help.
Imagine if every time I helped do the dishes, I shouted, hey everyone, look at me! I’m going to rinse this plate, I have taken the sponge and scrubbed it, now I’m loading this dish into the dishwasher.
I’m the most obedient child in the family.
If I did this, I think it would make my brother not like me very much.
This is what Jesus is saying in this reading.
Our relationship with Him must be based not on our desire to impress others, but God.
Let’s pray.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, dear God, help us to do good for your glory, not so that others will think we are better than them.
Let what I do lead others to you.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
Thank you so much for listening.
I’ll be back tomorrow scattering more flowers.
See ya!