Let us show others we are proud of our faith

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Jesus has a clear message for the disciples of his time in today's gospel (Matthew 6:1-6). He is warning them not to parade their prayers or good deeds to attract the attention of other people. He gives the example of the hypocrites who love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogue or on street corners for everyone to see them. When you fast he says, put oil on your head and wash your face so that no one will know that you are fasting. When you pray go to your room and close the door. Those words of Jesus were obviously very relevant for the people of his time. But when have we seen people praying on street corners or putting oil on their heads when they fast?

 

Our reality is very different from the time of Jesus when religious practice was the centre of people's lives. Today only a minority profess to be believers and then they certainly do not not parade their faith in public. But while Jesus exhorts his disciples to avoid hypocrisy, he still tells them. ''You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.'' (Matthew 5:16). How much more then are we called to let the light of our faith shine before others? Pope Francis tells us that through baptism every member of the People of God has been converted to become a missionary disciple of Jesus. While we won't preach or pray on street corners, may we find ways to show others that we are proud of our faith and not ashamed to let it influence our daily living, warming our own heart and bringing comfort to others.