Day 20

Every time you are praised, dread this saying of our Lord’s : 4 Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.’ 1 A saying of such importance that Jesus Christ repeats it with reference to each action that He specially marks out in this chapter.

Remember what He said to the bad rich man — c Thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime.’ 2 And elsewhere, in the parable of the Feast, c Lest perhaps ... a recompense be made to thee.’

Happy, then, are they whose lives are 4 hid with Christ in God,’ 3 as St Paul has it : they whom the world knows not — who live in secret before God — who are content with His sight of them : for can there be greater folly or error than not to be satisfied with such an onlooker ? They are 4 as unknown’ says the same Apostle : — because their doings are not in the foolish talk of men : — but they are 4 yet known.’ 4 God esteems them all the more because nobody thinks of them and they are as nothing on 1 Matt. vi. z, 3 Luke xvi. 25.

3 Coloss. iii. 3. 4 2 Cor. vi. 8.

earth. Happy — yes, happy indeed — are such souls ! c If I yet pleased men,’ says St Paul, again, i I should not be the servant of Christ .* 1 Nevertheless, we must be on our guard here against a certain kind of indifference, which may make us neglect outward actions that would edify our neighbour. People are apt to say, i What does it matter to me what they think ? * ; but this is really like saying, c What does it matter to me if I give scandal ? * God forbid ! We are bound, in all our external acts, to edify others, and to regulate every jot and tittle of what we do ; but this must come about simply and naturally, and the glory of it must be given to God.

Again, we must take care not to be satisfied with merely a well-ordered exterior. We must furnish forth the spectacle that God demands — that is, a heart that is seeking Him in its hidden depths.

‘ Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth .* 2 Hide your alms from even your most intimate friends. c Shut up alms in the heart of the poor ,’ 3 says the wise man. Let even the poor themselves, if possible, not know you. Indeed, if you could, you should hide 1 Gal. i. io. 2 Matt. vi. 3, 4. 3 Eccles. xix. 15.

what good you do even from yourself ; at least, conceal its merit from your own sight. Always believe that you are doing little or nothing, and that you are a useless servant. Fear, in all your good works, that your intention is not pure enough, nor sufficiently free from worldly motives. Let God alone see the merit of your actions ; do good without reflecting on yourself. Be occupied solely with the work , so as never to think about what you may gain by it, but to leave all to the judgment of God. Thus, He alone will gaze upon you, and you will be hidden from your own sight.

i Sound not a trumpet before thee,’ 1 like those who are incessantly talking of their own sayings and doings. They are their own trumpeters, being so much afraid that they may escape notice.

1 Matt, vi. 2.

Cwent^first 2>as Prayer , and the presence of God in secret . — Matt, vi. 5-8.

NTER into thy chamber’ — that is, into the very innermost part of your house ; but also into the innermost part of your heart. Be perfectly collected. c Shut the door upon you ’ — that is, close up the avenues of sense, and give access to no irrelevant thought. i Pray in secret ’ — that is, pour out your soul before God alone ; make Him only the depositary of your hidden griefs.

‘Speak not much.’ This pouring forth does not imply telling God your secret needs by means of long speeches. c He knows all before you ask Him.’ Say inwardly whatever may be of use by helping to move you and to fix your thoughts on God. The prayers of the Pagans, who knew not God, were nothing but a superfluity of unmeaning words. Speak little with the lips and much with the heart. Neither should you y Google