DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
St. Matthew 6:1-13
(3/8)
Gospel for Saturday of the Week of Cheesefare
Fasting
VI ~ Piety: St. Matthew 6:1-13 RSV,
especially vs. 1: “Beware of practicing your piety before men in
order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who
is in heaven.” The
oldest manuscripts of this verse have the word “dikaiosune” (here
translated as “piety”), rather than the word for
“almsgiving,” found in some of the later manuscripts. “Piety” serves well in this
verse, making it an introduction and linking together the Lord’s teaching
about three pious practices - almsgiving (vss. 2-4), prayer (vss. 5-15), and
fasting (vss. 16-18). The Lord
teaches that in all pious practices we need to 1) be vigilant against vainglory,
and 2) direct our efforts solely toward obtaining heavenly treasure (vss.
6:19-21).
Concerning the Lord’s warning to be vigilant against vainglory,
Blessed Theophylact cautions: “See what He says, ‘Take heed,’
as if speaking of some terrible, wild beast. Take heed that it not tear you limb from
limb.”[1] Let us be wary of how the beast crouches
to spring on us. One may be lulled
into feeling safe from vainglory by the habit of measuring himself against
others, but comparison prepares the ground in our souls to make vainglory
“acceptable.” The world
urges us to “take pride” in our accomplishments,
without a moment’s thought for God Who gave us the abilities, various
strengths, whatever intelligence and capacities we posses.
In addition, “serious” Christians face a special trap. Out of devotion to the Lord, we want to
do well, make the best of efforts, give generously, pray fervently, fast in
purity. But then, “up jumps
the devil.” As St. John
Chrysostom says, “...what remains the most tyrannical passion of all, the
rage and madness with respect to vainglory,...springs up in them that do
right.”[2] And what if we “catch on” to
the idea that we need to be humble and modest in practicing our
righteousness? Vainglory returns
like a raging virus, and mutates into self-congratulation: “We have
become humble!” No! We have become the worst of the
Pharisees!
Our compassionate Lord understands our weakness and how difficult it is
for us to remain focused on Him.
St. John of Kronstadt explains, “Our heart often sleeps....the
outer man prays, but not the inner one...we only flatter with our
tongue.”[3] So the Lord kindly offers us means to
sustain our consciousness of His presence.
Keep our charity out of public view (vss. 3, 4). Be secret about prayer (vs. 6). Fight to keep the heart focused in
prayer (vss. 7,8). And as His best
gift for the battle to be pious and true, the Lord offers His Prayer. It is a sure guide, a valuable
checklist, and a weapon to destroy vainglory and sustain us in lifting up our
hearts to Him alone.
Who besides our Father in Heaven do we seek to please with our
offerings, by our prayers, and in fasting truly? O, our Father, Thou hast provided the
perfect Offering for the sins of the whole world, the Infallible Intercessor
Who prays for us, and the Champion of fasting Who has defeated Satan even in
His own hunger. Accept my imperfect
piety, and make it perfect in Him.
Let us hallow the Name of God in every thought, by every word and in all
our deeds.
Hallowed be Thy Name above every name that is named. Will our acts of piety truly further the
By the power of Thy love, grant us to hold fast to that which is good in Thy sight.[4]