#righteous?

“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them.”

Today’s Gospel opens with a warning. One we’re used to hearing on Ash Wednesday.

So why are we hearing it again, in Ordinary Time? Because Ordinary Time is all about living the Faith. And it’s warning us about something that goes right to the heart of what it means to live the Faith.

There’s something we need to clear up about “righteous deeds.” Jesus gives the examples of giving money, prayer, and fasting. And there’s something in us that acts like - that’s the whole list.

As if Jesus said, “and those are the only righteous deeds.” Not in the least.

Have you ever helped someone? Not because you wanted anything out of it, but just because they needed help? That’s a righteous deed.

Have you ever given a word of encouragement to someone, that turned out to be just what they needed? That’s a righteous deed.

Have you ever just been with someone? No great words of wisdom, just letting them know by your presence that they weren’t alone? Again, a righteous deed.

The truth is, the list has no end. Because of what makes a something a righteous deed.

So what makes something a righteous deed? When we do it, in the opposite spirit of what Jesus is warning us about.

When we do it in a spirit, down deep in our hearts, where it’s just us and God, that says to God alone,

“God, thank you for giving me the ability to do that. Thank you for giving me the chance to do that. Thank you for trusting me to do that.

Lord, remake my heart, so that I will never miss the chance to do what You have given me to do. So that I will always move in Your will and Your strength, not mine. That I might always be an instrument of Your grace and Your love.”

Continue in that spirit, let it soak into your bones, and your life will be a righteous deed.

“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them.”

Today’s Gospel opens with a warning. One we’re used to hearing on Ash Wednesday.

So why are we hearing it again, in Ordinary Time? Because Ordinary Time is all about living the Faith. And it’s warning us about something that goes right to the heart of what it means to live the Faith.

There’s something we need to clear up about “righteous deeds.” Jesus gives the examples of giving money, prayer, and fasting. And there’s something in us that acts like - that’s the whole list.

As if Jesus said, “and those are the only righteous deeds.” Not in the least.

Have you ever helped someone? Not because you wanted anything out of it, but just because they needed help? That’s a righteous deed.

Have you ever given a word of encouragement to someone, that turned out to be just what they needed? That’s a righteous deed.

Have you ever just been with someone? No great words of wisdom, just letting them know by your presence that they weren’t alone? Again, a righteous deed.

The truth is, the list has no end. Because of what makes a something a righteous deed.

So what makes it righteous? When we do it, in the opposite spirit of what Jesus is warning us about.

When we do it in a spirit, down deep in our hearts, where it’s just us and God, that says to God alone,

“God, thank you for giving me the ability to do that. Thank you for giving me the chance to do that. Thank you for trusting me to do that.

Lord, remake my heart, so that I will never miss the chance to do what You have given me to do. So that I will always move in Your will and Your strength, not mine. That I might always be an instrument of Your grace and Your love.”

Continue in that spirit, let it soak into your bones, and your life will be a righteous deed.

#fuck Elliot #I should give you more love!

You've got that right!