“What’s in Your Heart?”
June 18, 2025 - Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Matthew 6:1–6, 16–18
Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting have always been the core practices of biblical faith. They appear across Scripture as powerful ways of opening our lives to God’s grace.
In the book of Tobit, almsgiving and prayer are called a blessing and a shield. Esther fasted and prayed when her people faced danger. And in the Acts of the Apostles, a Roman centurion named Cornelius “gave alms generously” and “prayed continually.” His prayers and gifts were so sincere that Scripture says they “ascended as a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4). God responded by sending Peter with the Gospel.
These actions—giving, praying, and fasting—can move Heaven. But they can also become hollow. It all depends on the heart.
Jesus warns that there are two ways to live out these practices: the sincere and the showy. One way is quiet, unseen, directed toward God alone. The other is loud, attention-seeking, and meant to impress others. The first is about God’s glory. The second is about our ego.
Even the best things can be twisted. We can pray just to look holy, give just to feel superior, or fast just to win praise. But when we do that, Jesus says, we already have our reward—and it’s only applause. God, who sees what’s hidden, knows when our hearts are far from Him.
The heart of Christian spirituality is this simple truth:
“Your Father sees in secret.” (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18)
In His teaching on prayer, Jesus takes us deeper. He not only tells us to go into a private room but also warns us not to “heap up empty phrases” like the Gentiles do.
Why? Because in Jesus’ world, most people believed in many gods. The Jews were the only people who worshiped the one true God. The pagans thought they had to bargain with their gods, repeat words, or perform rituals to be heard.
But our Father isn’t like that. He doesn’t need convincing. He already knows what we need. Prayer isn’t about piling up words—it’s about relationship. Do you only talk to your parents when you want something? Or do you talk because you love them and want to be close? That’s how prayer works.
Fasting, too, can become a performance—or a kind of health trend. In our time, many fast for fitness or clarity of mind. Doctors see fasting as a cure for overeating and disease. But biblical fasting is different. It’s not about control—it’s about surrender. It’s not for attention—it’s for repentance.
In the book of Daniel, fasting comes with confession and a cry for mercy:
“O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act” (Daniel 9:19).
That’s the kind of fasting that reaches Heaven.
So why do you give, pray, or fast?
To be seen by others—or to be known by God?
What if this week, or this day, you chose to do something good… and told no one?
What if you prayed not to be heard, but simply to be with your Father?
What if your fast was a cry for grace — not a diet?
Because your Father sees in secret.
And what is offered in secret is never lost.