How should we practise charitable works, prayers and fasting?

In Matthew 6:1-18, we encounter an essential contrast between genuine humility and self-serving displays of piety. Jesus urges us to engage in charitable acts, prayers, and fasting with the purest intentions. Instead of broadcasting our good deeds like a trumpet’s blare, Jesus encourages a more hidden approach, as he wraps us in the beauty of sincerity. By practicing in secret, not only do we see the genuine nature of our intentions manifest, but we also cultivate a deeper relationship with the divine.

This echo of humility and discreet service can be found in various biblical characters, like the widow who gave everything she had at the temple (Mark 12:41-44). Her act of giving went unnoticed by many but was celebrated by Jesus as profound and meaningful. The beauty of these teachings lies in their focus on the heart behind the action, emphasizing an authentic faith journey rather than a public reputation.

Interestingly, ancient traditions often included fasting as a private act of devotion, where individuals would abstain from food to draw closer to their spiritual selves—not for fame or fortune, but to cultivate inner strength. The call to a secret practice reminds us of the balance between community and personal faith, encouraging us to foster a private space where divine connection flourishes, far from the spotlight.

This liberating practice frees us from the weight of approval, dismantling the human need for recognition and guiding us back to more profound spiritual focus. Each act performed in love becomes its reward, nurturing both our spirit and our community in tandem.