GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 6:1-6, 16-18
Every religious practice is to build the right relationship: with God, with the other and with oneself. Fasting, alms-giving and prayer are the pious practices of Judaic religion and they were to build right relationship. Fasting stands for one’s relationship within oneself. Alms-giving represents one’s relationship with the other. Prayer speaks for one’s relationship with God.
“O man, he has told you what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:8). This verse also speaks of the three relationships. Probably Jesus had this verse at the back of his mind when he spoke of the religious practices.
பக்தி முயற்சிகள் எல்லா மதங்களிலும் உண்டு. அடிப்படையில் அவைகள் உறவை வளர்ப்பதற்கே. இறைவனோடு கொண்டுள்ள உறவு (ஜெபம்)> மனிதனோடு கொண்டுள்ள உறவு (உதவுதல்)> தன்னோடு கொண்டுள்ள உறவு (நோன்பு) ஆகிய மூன்றும் அடிப்படையானவை.
