Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional – Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time – Wednesday – Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18

Moving into Chapter 6 of the Sermon of the Mount, Christ teaches the correct way to give alms, pray and fast, rebuking hypocrites who seek self-glorification from others through prideful conspicuous acts.

Warning men, Jesus condemns the hypocrites who make a public spectacle of giving to bring attention to themselves. While Christ desires for men to do good deeds to proclaim the Gospel (Matt 5:16), He also suggests giving anonymously to avoid the temptation to self-self-glorification. Jesus confirms God the Father sees all and rewards men who selflessly give to the poor.

Similarly, Christ suggests avoiding showy prayer in public, urging men to practice deep private prayer as He demonstrated numerous times (Matt 14:23; Mark 1:35). Elsewhere, Christ and His Church emphasizes the practice of communal prayer (Matt 18:20; Acts 1:12-14).  God desires and rewards men for their humble prayers.

Christ also emphasizes the need to fast, promising God sees and rewards humble fasting and ignores fasting by hypocrites who seek praise from others.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Christ the Almighty King has divine authority and commands His disciples to rigorous disciplines that put love into action. The Son of God, Jesus reveals the Father’s omniscience and how the Father rewards and ignores men.   Divine Mercy, Christ asserts His special concern for the poor.  Divine Judge, Jesus rebukes hypocrites who seek self-glorification and promises the Heavenly Father repays faithful men for their good deeds.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Many hypocrites still seek glory and honor by conspicuous “charity” and many more fail to give adequately to the poor.  Examine your own giving and resolve to give alms with exceptional generosity.

2) The majority of Catholic men do not pray on a regular basis. Commit to practice and deepen daily prayer to draw closer to the Almighty King.

3) Very few Catholic men practice fasting.  Vow to return to fasting on every Friday in reverence for Christ’s Passion and all other fast days.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

Daily Devotion – Saint Joseph

Virtue of the Day – Temperance