We notice in the gospels how several times Jesus told the people He miraculously cured or for whom He did a favor not to circulate the news but rather thank God for it. When He cured one leper, He told him: “Mind you do not tell anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering prescribed by Moses, as evidence for them” (Mt. 8:4)
This is one lesson for us who tend to do good deeds for outward show or vested interests. We have forgotten the lesson of Jesus: “Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you” (Mt. 6:1-4).
“Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed—and he is your life—you too will be revealed in all your glory with Him” (Col. 3:2-4).
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