On Ash Wednesday, we heard the Lord’s instruction: "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them…” Well, in the Gospel today, the Lord condemns the Pharisees for using their positions as religious leaders to draw attention not to God, but to themselves. As Jesus said, “All their works are performed to be seen.”
The pharisees were the original virtue-signalers. Their works were for performed for the purpose of gaining fame and honor for themselves instead of furthering the kingdom of God. They wanted to draw people to themselves instead of to God.
Christians, to be certain, are to perform righteous deeds, good works, works of charity. St. James says, faith without works is dead. But the manner of our deeds is the opposite of the Pharisees. The Lord teaches his disciples to let their lights shine before men so others would see their good deeds and glorify the Father in heaven (Matt. 5:14–16).
How do we ensure that our deeds are being done for God’s glory and not simply our own? Prayer and discernment certainly help that end. We pray are to pray before our actions, during our actions, and at the completion of our actions. We pray, Lord let this work be done for your glory. Draw souls towards your love and goodness through this work done in your honor.
In essence, we are to cultivate humility. C.S. Lewis wrote, “By this virtue [of humility], as by all others, [God] wants to turn [our] attention away from self, to Him and [to our] neighbors.” Humility is not a matter of thinking less of ourselves—but less ABOUT ourselves, forgetting ourselves and turning outward in love. The motivation for righteous deeds are not to be seen by others, but out of true concern for the needs of others and spreading God's kingdom.
And so humble prayer is needed--humble prayer which keeps us oriented toward God--prayer which asks God for the grace to further His kingdom rather than our self-interested ends.
In Matthew 15, the Lord laments how the Pharisees draw near to God with the lips, but allow their hearts to remain far from God. We must draw near to God, we must bring our hearts nearer to God this Lent through humble prayer and fasting, that our almsgiving and our righteous deeds, which the Lord commands, may be done for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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That the season of Lent may bring the most hardened hearts to repentance and bring to all people purification of sin and selfishness.
For those preparing for baptism and the Easter sacraments, that they may continue to conform themselves to Christ through fervent prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
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