Almsgiving, Prayer, & Fasting

By Liz Wiskowski

      In Matthew’s Gospel (MT 6:2-18), Jesus speaks of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Let’s take a look at these.

      First, almsgiving. When we give to the poor, what are our motives? Is it because it makes us feel superior or better than they are? Is it because giving makes us look good in the eyes of our peers? Is it to glorify ourselves, giving us a sense of power? Is our motive prestige? None of this is good enough. We must give to glorify God. Give alms out of a loving heart, give to others as Jesus Christ gave himself to us.

      Now prayer. Do we rattle off familiar prayers without thinking of what they mean? Do we go to church just to be seen by other people? All prayers should be offered to God. Yes, it is necessary to go to church, but we also should pray in the silence of our home or a quiet room. We can say better prayers throughout the day, whenever we have a few moments. Concentrate on the “Our Father”, the prayer Jesus Himself gave us. Every word is loaded with meaning.

     Now we come to fasting. Most of us never fast. Some people do during Lent. But Jesus said don’t advertise this fast. Don’t put on a long face. In our land of plenty, fasting has gone out of style. But think about it and try it one day a month or even one day a week. Some of the advantages are: Fasting is good for self-discipline, it is so easy for us to become completely self indulgent.

      Fasting preserves the ability to do without things. Too many things have become essential in our lives. Fasting preserves the ability to do without things that should never become all important.

      Fasting makes us appreciate things more. When you go without something for a day, how wonderful it is the next day.

      Jesus condemned the wrong kind of fasting, but He never meant for us to do without it completely.