1. God Loves Secrets Matthew 6:1-6

2. [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.

[2] "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

[3] But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

[4] so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

[5] "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

[6] But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

3. St. Augustine

He does not now bid us pray, but instructs us how we should pray; as above He did not command us to do alms but showed the manner of doing them.

4. [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.

[2] "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

[3] But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

[4] so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

[5] "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

[6] But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

5. On the necessity of giving alms

CCC 2447 [...] Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God: [...]

6. St. John Chrysostom

How can it be that we should not do our alms before men?

7. The intention in our heart

CCC 1753 [...] On the other hand, an added bad intention (such as vainglory) makes an act evil that, in and of itself, can be good (such as almsgiving).

For though it is easy for any not to wish for praise when it is denied him, it is difficult not to be pleased with it when it is offered. - St. Augustine

8. Left hand and right hand

Left hand -> delight in men's praise

Right hand -> purpose of fulfiling the divine commands

9. When the heart sees God alone

For he who does any thing for God's sake, sees nothing in his heart but God, for whose sake he does it; - Pseudo-Chrys

10. The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses 11. Practical tips for giving for God

Pray for humility

Do every little things for God e.g.: work, study, ministry, help to others

Offer them up to God through prayers

Give thanks and praise God in daily prayers

Daily examination of consience

12. [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.

[2] "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

[3] But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

[4] so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

[5] "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

[6] But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

13. About praying not to be seen by others

Whoever then so prays as to be seen of men does not look to God but to man, [...]

But he whose mind in prayer is wholy fixed on God, though he prays in the synagogue yet seems to pray with himself in secret.

-Pseudo-Chrys

14. As Jesus also prays alone 15. Practical tips for praying

Find a suitable place

Commit to a suitable time

Prepare your mind and heart (use sacred pictures, cross, altar, Bible, etc)

Spend a fixed time for prayer

Use Scriptures

Spend some silent moment in prayer