Scripture Reading: (Read slowly)
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them; otherwise,
you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues
and on street corners so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
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Leader: Jesus invites us into a secret place. A place where no one sees but God.
A place where the heart speaks truth, away from the noise of approval, applause, or appearance.
In our world, everything is visible.
We post, we share, we perform. Even our faith can become a performance:
- prayers for show, - kindness for recognition, - sacrifices for admiration.
But Jesus calls us deeper. He says: When you give, don't announce it.
When you pray, go to your room. When you fast, keep it between you and the Father.
Why? Because the reward He offers is not human praise. It is something far greater:
the gaze of God. To be seen by Him — truly seen, loved, and known — is enough.
Silent Reflection: (Pause for a moment)
· What would it mean for me to enter my "secret room" today
to pray, to give, to sacrifice, just for the Father's eyes?________________________________________________________________________________________________
All: Father in heaven, You see what is hidden. You know what is real.
Draw me into the secret place where only You and I exist.
Free me from the need to be seen by others.
Let my giving, my praying, my fasting be for Your eyes alone.
And in that secret place, let me find my reward: Your loving gaze upon me. Amen.
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RESOLUTION
This week, choose one spiritual practice: prayer, giving, or sacrifice and do it in complete secrecy.
Tell no one.
Let it be just between you and the Father.
