“YOUR FATHER, WHO SEES IN SECRET, WILL PAY REWARD YOU.”

In this lengthy Sermon on the Mount, Jesus touches on the religious practices of his people. He does not reject them, but as in all his teaching, He takes them to the plane of love. Praying, fasting, giving alms… to do so, yes, but not out of vainglory or established custom, but to please the Father God; to do so with the motivation of love and compassion for the brother or sister in need. Austerity in life leads us to the essential, and to leave along the way everything that hinders the relationship with the Lord and the response we want to give to his love. Our actions must have our eyes fixed on Him. Jesus, his life and his attitudes, will be the compass that guides our journey through life.