Jesus, in today’s gospel, admonishes his disciples about the dangers of doing good deeds only to win the praise and admiration of others. Rather than this, he invites them to a state of discretion, where only the Father, “who sees in secret will repay you.” Through this, Jesus is highlighting the importance of this intimate relationship, which can and should drive all others.
In a world of social media where everyone seems to have a megaphone, it is easy for even the most well-intentioned individuals to become hostage to seeking praise and admiration. This is not an inevitability, but certainly something to look out for. Nor does it mean that we shouldn’t share our moments of joy or struggle with those around us. God is found in our relationships with our brothers and sisters. But how important it is, to first off, spend time with God in our inner sanctum, that only he sees, that only he knows through and through. Everything else falls into place after this.