What is godliness?

Today’s Gospel wants to instruct us in our life; the Lord Jesus advises: “Take heed and do not do your good works before men so that they may admire you…” (Mt 6:1).

The Gospel addresses that those who are trugenuinelynt to belong to the Lord Jesus must concentrate on their pie righteousness, the interior of their lives, the sincerity of their deeds, and the selflessness with which they do them.
The Gospels often speak of the Lord Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees. Yes, they were godly, for they did much good, yet he criticizes them. We must note that the Lord Jesus does not fundamentally condemn good works, but the evil intent of those who do them. Their pride. Thus, He points out that the Pharisees are not concerned with glorifying God in doing jobs but with their glorification. They did well so that people would praise them for it. They did it so that people would notice.
This Gospel also speaks to us, “…do not boast in your sight, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets, so that people may praise them. Verily, I say unto you: They have already received their reward” (Mt. 6:2).

And this is enough for us to understand that they have already received their reward for such deeds, and therefore they will not receive another from God. But we are instructed how a good disciple of Christ ought to act: ‘But when thou gives alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth, that thy alms may remain hidden. And your Father will reward you, for he sees even in secret” (Mt 6:3-4).
We understand that God wants us to act without witnesses, for God is everywhere present and is our most excellent witness of love. God also wants us to work out of selfless love, which means that we expect nothing in return here on earth, but only in eternity and already here on earth do we want to praise God by doing so. When we want to pray more, let us close ourselves so that we will indeed be alone in conversation with God. Because the words of the Lord Jesus are being fulfilled, “And your Father will reward you, for he sees even in secret” (Mt 6:4).

Prayer is only meaningful when it comes from within us. Fasting is adequate for our salvation only when it washes away our sins, which means when one does it sincerely when one acknowledges one’s sinfulness, faults, and fall… No one needs to know about it, and it is also preferable when people do not notice it about us, and it is not conspicuous.

Yes, we realize that a godly man does not prescribe works and yet does it only for self-satisfaction and the favor of men. But the sacred does good results to glorify God and at the same time leaves the reward to God, whether he accepts this act of godliness from him or not, and that is, whether he receives and what compensation he receives.

Let us ask our conscience – how about our piety, prayers, and sacraments – is it always aimed at my sanctification, enrichment, or being seen by men? How much do I try to give to God in secret at home, for example, in prayer, or acts of charity, without claiming reward? Do I not want to be godly only before myself? Don’t I consider myself the most pious, perfect, and holy? Am I not doing something to please myself and not God?

I will be careful that my good works please God. Therefore, I will try to do them quietly, unobtrusively, and with a sincere heart, without expecting a reward from men.