📖 Today's Gospel 17 June 2026 · Wednesday 11th Week in Ordinary Time Matthew 6:1–6, 16–18 Jesus said to His disciples: "Beware of practising your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them. For then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." He continued. "When you give to the needy — do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets, that they may be praised by others. 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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." He said the same about prayer. "When you pray — go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret." And again — about fasting. "When you fast — do not look gloomy. Anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may not be seen by others, but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." ✨ Reflection Three times in this passage — almsgiving, prayer, fasting — Jesus repeats almost the same words: "Your Father who sees in secret will reward you." There is something deeply comforting hidden in this repetition. Jesus is not saying your good deeds don't matter unless someone notices. He is saying the opposite. He is saying: Someone always notices. Even when no one else does — God sees. The quiet act of generosity that nobody photographed. The early morning prayer that no one else witnessed. The sacrifice you made that you never mentioned to anyone. None of it goes unseen. But here is the deeper challenge in this Gospel — Jesus is asking us to examine our motives. Why do we do the good things we do? For the reward of being seen? Or for the reward of being known by God? These two rewards cannot both be sought at the same time. If we are constantly performing for an audience — we may receive applause. But we forfeit something far greater. The secret approval of the Father who already knows everything about us — and loves us still. 💡 Context — Important This passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount — specifically the section dealing with the three traditional acts of Jewish piety: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Jesus does not condemn these practices. He condemns the corruption of doing them for show. The Pharisees of His time had developed elaborate public displays of religious devotion — and Jesus is calling His followers to something far more authentic. A faith lived in the secret place with God. 💡 Truths to Remember • God sees what no one else sees — your hidden sacrifices are not wasted • The reward of being seen by others and the reward of being known by God are different rewards • True religion is not a performance — it happens primarily in secret • Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting are gifts to God, not displays for people • Humility protects the purity of our good works 🙏 Prayer Lord, search my heart today. Show me where I have been performing instead of praying — where I have wanted to be seen more than I have wanted to be faithful. Teach me to love the secret place — where it is just You and me, and no one else is watching. That is enough. You are enough. Amen. 💬 Has there been a moment when you did something good and nobody ever knew — but it still mattered deeply to you? Share below 👇 #DailyGospel #Matthew6 #PrayInSecret #RiseWithTheWord