When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you

19 JUNE (Mt 6,1-6.16-18)

The life of man is a multifaceted daily relationship with God, with men, with the past, the present, the future, with things and with the whole of creation. Life is this multiple relationship and out of the relationship there is no life. Today, Jesus, wise, intelligent, profound knower of the things of God, offers us a lesson in most pure holiness, without changing anything at all of our existence. Only that sublime wisdom of the Holy Spirit, Scriptures talks of, can be capable of this teaching. Jesus is the very eternal Wisdom made flesh.

Now God grant I speak suitably and value these endowments at their worth: For he is the guide of Wisdom and the director of the wise. For both we and our words are in his hand, as well as all prudence and knowledge of crafts. For he gave me sound knowledge of existing things, that I might know the organization of the universe and the force of its elements, The beginning and the end and the midpoint of times, the changes in the sun’s course and the variations of the seasons. Cycles of years, positions of the stars, natures of animals, tempers of beasts, Powers of the winds and thoughts of men, uses of plants and virtues of roots – Such things as are hidden I learned and such as are plain; for Wisdom, the artificer of all, taught me. For in her is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, Manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, Not baneful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, Firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, And pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle. For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity. For she is an aura of the might of God and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nought that is sullied enters into her. For she is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness. And she, who is one, can do all things, and renews everything while herself perduring; And passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets. For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom. For she is fairer than the sun and surpasses every constellation of the stars. Compared to light, she takes precedence; for that, indeed, night supplants, but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom (Wis 7,15-30).

Who is not invested by this wisdom, who has separated himself from Christ, eternal and divine Wisdom, who lives outside of the Holy Spirit, communion of truth and knowledge; always thinks that it is urgent to change the relationships between people, rather than modifying the way these relationships must be lived in. To a relationship another one always fallows, because man is multifaceted relationship. The holy mode sanctifies every relationship forever. Wisdom helps us give a holy mode that applies to every relationship.

“(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.

We do so many things every day. Jesus teaches us to do them well. They are done well if they are done just for the greater glory of the Father. Selfishness dies, charity, love and every other virtue is born. Pride dies and humility rises. Our foolishness drives us to change things, leaving the people intact. The wisdom of Christ Jesus changes the person. Who changes himself, changes the world, because he gives truth to the relationships.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints change hearts and minds.