18 June, Wednesday — Humility vs Glory

Wednesday of Week 11 in Ordinary Time

2 Cor 9:6-11
Mt 6:1-6,16-18

“…your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you”

One word that strikes me from today’s Gospel is — Humility.

When Jesus said to His disciples not to parade our good deeds before men, or to give alms and have it trumpeted before men, I think He had the message of humility in mind. Humility to not do things,, or even pray “standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see…”. All that could be vanity and a way to glorify ourselves instead of giving Him the glory.

I’ve heard it said many times that we should always question and purify our motives for doing good. Are we truly doing good with the honest desire to help others? Or are we doing so to prove to others that we are generous? Similarly, when we serve in a Church ministry, are we doing it because we are thankful for whatever talents and gifts that God has given us and we want give back by serving the community? Or are we doing it for our own vain glory?

I guess I am guilty of this charge myself when I serve in a ministry, and sometimes I do it because of the adulation that sometimes comes with it. Sometimes, I feel upset when my effort does not get recognised or appreciated. But as St Paul writes in the first reading for today: “God loves a cheerful giver”; and when we give of our time, effort or gifts, even if we do not get recognised or appreciated, as long as we give cheerfully, God sees it and will reward us. The important thing is that we have the honest desire to do something — whether it be serving in a ministry, donating to charity, or even offering our energy and time to someone who needs it — with a cheerful heart and a generous spirit, and to glorify God for the many gifts He has blessed us with.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Nicholas Lee)

Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to purify my intentions and motives for doing good.

Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for giving me Your gifts and talents, and being able to serve You in whatever way I can.