GOP Gospel: Public Piety
Feb. 20th, 2021 08:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tealinDay 4 of my Lent project. For background, please read this.
A reading from the Gospel according to the GOP:
Matthew 6:1-8
"Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
"So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
Fun fact: the priest at my very conservative Anglican church in California actually did exhort us to be audacious in what we asked God for in our prayers; his reasoning was not quite what I have written here, but the inference was similar.
A reading from the Gospel according to the GOP:
"Practice your piety before others in order to be seen by them, for in so doing you testify to the goodness of your Father in heaven, and your Father in heaven will reward you accordingly.
"So whenever you donate to charity, do so visibly, so that your Father, who has given you wealth to donate, can be glorified through you, and you will receive your reward, both on earth and in heaven. Keep your accounts assiduously, so your donations can be deducted from your taxable income and thereby honour your Father's wishes, for he has intended these blessings for you, not for the government.
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who profess to be believers but hide the light of their faith from the mocking crowd. Pray as boldly and as publicly as you can, praising the Lord on street corners and before the congregations, so that as many as possible can see how earnestly you believe; your example will bring them also to the Lord. Truly I tell you, your Father rewards you on earth as he does in heaven. When you are praying, let your words pour forth like a stream of fresh water; your loquaciousness will bring you regard among men, and every sentence glorifies your Father, and every glory is added to your celestial account. Be audacious in what you ask for, so that when it is granted, it will be seen to be granted, and those who witnessed you praying will witness that your Father granted your desire."
Matthew 6:1-8
"Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
"So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
Fun fact: the priest at my very conservative Anglican church in California actually did exhort us to be audacious in what we asked God for in our prayers; his reasoning was not quite what I have written here, but the inference was similar.
