"(But) 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 be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. (Mt 6:1-6,16-18)
Giving alms should not be made public (should not be heard that is trumpeted) and it should not be seen (not in market places and in synagogues). In the ancient world anything of importance was announced through trumpeting. Trumpeting fore warned what was to happen. Synagogues and market places were places where people gathered. Jesus asks his disciples to avoid the places of gathering and the situations of importance. There is need for secrecy.
Prayer also should not be done in places where the public gather. Prayer is not a spectacle to be seen by spectators. Praying is a mystery. It is an expression of and a revelation of relationship between God and the one who does the praying. No words; no places; no length of time should control the prayer. It is done in secret.
Do not go for appearances or do not do appearances. External appearances are in no way reveal what is going on inside the mind of the person. Internal attitudes and internal feelings should be seen on the face of the person. Even a religious act should in no way be made to be seen by the others. It is hidden.
