On Alms, Prayers, and Fasts

Jesus Christ taught His followers to look beyond a self-glorifying superficiality that has become an all too often reality of the human condition. This type of vainglory even presents itself in an ostentatious kind of spirituality that spoils the very alms, prayers, and fasts we offer to the Lord. Christ warns, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 6:1).

Instead of giving for the sake of impressing others, Christ teaches to give without mind to what others think, since God is aware of all that happens, and shall reward His servants accordingly (Matt. 6:2-4). Instead of adopting the kinds of prayers that grab the attention of onlookers, or using prayer formulas packaged with empty promises of sating one’s own carnality, Christ taught us to pray as a means of communing with the Heavenly Father (Matt. 6:5-15). Instead of using the fast to dazzle others with one’s own capacity for self abasement, Christ taught to fast in secret (Matt 6:16-18).

Christ’s is not prohibiting people from alms, prayers, and fasts from the public arena; rather, He is teaching that doing these things for one’s own vainglory defeats their very purpose. Alms is a way of recognizing the dignity and worth of people created in God’s image yet who have fallen into dire straits. Prayers help us to align our own lives in accordance to the will of God. Fasting is a way of being humble before the Lord. To do these things for one’s own self interest defeats their purpose.

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