Being effective proclaimers of the Word today

Today's gospel is from Matthew 6:1-6,16-18, and it is the reading that we hear on Ash Wednesday. It was a warning to the first christian communities to avoid ostentation when they pray, fast and give alms. Do not be like the hypocrites who pray aloud in the Temple to let people how good they are so that they may be praised. The interpretation seems clear, but is it? The well known scripture scholar, Raymond Brown teaches that the historical context of this passage has to be taken into account. Matthew was writing to a people where religion was basic to their lives, it was part of the air they breathed. But that is not the reality that we are living in today. For many people religion does not enter into their lives, they consider it irrelevant. Our mission is to show them that God is alive and that our faith is an essential part of our lives.The challenge is to find effective ways to do this. Protesting outside an abortion clinic may stir up more opposition than support. A sign outside a church on a main street in Upper Hutt makes me pray every time I pass it. it says, ''Thank God that your mother chose life.'' We are called today not to hide our light under a bed but to put it on lampstand so that everyone can see it. Come, Holy Spirit, show us how to be effective proclaimers of your word in the society in which we live today.''