"LISTEN AGAIN"
We shouldn't expect or look for recognition because we are doing good works. We are to practice what we preach daily.
True respect for God and His ways inclines us to godly humility and simplicity of heart -- wanting to please God alone. The Scriptures give ample warnings about the harm self-seeking pride can do to us: "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Prov. 16:18). "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6; Prov. 3:24). Did we truly hear the words of Jesus today when He said, "Whoever is greater among you, let him be the servant of all?" True humility frees us to be ourselves as God sees us and to avoid despair and pride. A humble person does not want to wear a mask or put on a façade in order to look good to others. True joy is being Christ-like in humility and simplicity of heart!
Humility opens our minds and hearts to be learners on a journey so we can acquire true knowledge, wisdom, and reality. We will be able to focus our energy, zeal, and ambition to give ourselves to something greater. We will have a true freedom to love and serve as Christ did.
In the first reading from Isaiah we read, "Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow" (Is 1:16-17). The responsorial psalm emphasizes the hypocrisy of Israel's public religion: the people are great at sacrificing cattle to the Lord and at reciting verses of the law; but they are not obedient to the law, and their hearts are not in their prayers. St. Matthew's Gospel takes up this theme of hypocrisy. Jesus tells His disciples to avoid pitfalls that have kept the Pharisees from being adequate religious leaders. We shouldn't expect or look for recognition because we are doing good works. We are to practice what we preach daily.
How does our Lenten journey match up with these readings?