“Be sincere, Be brief, Be seated.”

“An argument in apologetics, when actually used in dialogue, is an extension of the arguer. The arguer's tone, sincerity, care, concern, listening, and respect matter as much as his or her logic - probably more. The world was won for Christ not by arguments but by sanctity: "What you are speaks so loud, I can hardly hear what you say.” - Peter Kreeft: (is a professor of philosophy at Boston College)

Gospel Text: (MT 6:1-6, 16-18)

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Take care not to perform righteous deeds

in order that people may see them;

otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.

When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,

as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets

to win the praise of others.

Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you give alms,

do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,

so that your almsgiving may be secret.

And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,

who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners

so that others may see them.

Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,

and pray to your Father in secret.

And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.

They neglect their appearance,

so that they may appear to others to be fasting.

Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,

except to your Father who is hidden.

And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Hypocrites make a big show of their spirituality, “praying in the streets”, drawing attention to their alms-giving. Their point is the attention, not the good works. They’re only concerned that everyone sees how holy they are. They’re only after the reward, which will slip through their fingers.

The point of prayer is connection with God, not attention from others. The point of alms-giving is to help others and to do the right thing: to be a good neighbor. It’s not for praise or attention. The hypocrite whose heart is not in it will not get the full reward. He may think the praise and attention are reward enough, but the one with a sincere spirit may not have the immediate attention but will have the true reward.