An Italian newspaper featured a story about a young couple in Milan who appeared to be deeply devoted to their faith. The priest at a cathedral reported that the couple regularly spent an hour or more sitting before a statue of the Virgin Mary.
However, it was later discovered that their intentions were not as they seemed. Instead of praying, the couple was using the electrical plug behind the statue of Mary to recharge their cell phone. Whenever their phones needed charging, they would come to the church to plug them in, using the time as an opportunity to be together in a peaceful setting while their phones recharged.
What appeared to be a display of religious devotion was actually a selfish scheme. Perhaps we are quite surprised by this behavior. But have we ever engaged in similar actions? Claiming to pray but without genuine devotion or only for temporary personal gain. Claiming to abstain but without a true sense of joy, reducing it to an annual observance of a reluctant religious act. Claiming to perform acts of almsgiving, but perhaps with selfish motives or simply for public attention.
Analyzing Our Own Motives
Are we truly recharging ourselves, or are we recharging the many "gadgets" of our self-will or self-pleasure? The Gospel of the Day features a teaching by Jesus emphasizing the importance of restoring the true intention in praying, fasting, and almsgiving, emphasizing the need to practice these with humility and sincerity.
Regarding almsgiving, Jesus says, "When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets" (Matthew 6:2).
Regarding prayer, Jesus says, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father" (Matthew 6:6).
Regarding fasting, Jesus says, "When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face" (Matthew 6:17).
Reorganizing Our Desires
It's important to note that these three practices relate to three dimensions of love: love towards God, love towards others, and love towards oneself. Prayer reminds us to grow in the immensity of God's love. Almsgiving revives our basic duty of caring and responsibility to one another. Fasting helps us rediscover the worthiness of our lives and commits us to growing in holiness.
Time to Change
It's time for us to shift from "prayering" - simply reciting words, to praying - expressing words of love that come from the heart!
It's time for us to move from "announcements" - superficial acts of charity, to almsgiving - genuine acts of charity that stem from the generosity of the heart!
It's time for us to move from "feasting" - indulging in self-pleasure, to fasting - practicing self-discipline to help regulate our lives!
We are called to pay more attention to "returning to the basics," restoring the true intention in all our activities! The question for us to ponder today is, can we stop treating our religious practices as solely self-serving tactics? Shall we discard the "gadgets of our self-wills" and genuinely re-energize ourselves by doing God's will?
- Today’s Readings
- Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. Please watch the video on our Facebook page. (Facebook account not required to view.)
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