Concerning Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting

Jesus begins this section of his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount by headlining it with this text; “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” The idea behind this phrase is the nature of our heart. When in love, we do not care about outside opinions and all such. So if we are worrying about outside opinions, then sincerity and single mindedness to be in a relationship with God is lacking. Then it is not possible for us to advance in our relationship with God. All petition and fasting and piety will be fruitless, because our self-serving attitude stops us from growing in a relationship with God. We will advance in this world, because double standards and selfishness are the values in this world.

Put on then Sincerity and singlemindedness. Sit before the God in the privacy of your heart and speak to him. Ask him to bless you with his presence. Once you experience this, your heart will automatically cry, ‘Our/My Father, in Heaven…’