The Reward for Good Deeds

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Saturday of 20th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, and the Memorial of St. Pius, August 21st, 2021
Texts: Ruth 2:1-3.8-11; 4:13-17; Ps. 128:1-5; Mtt. 23:1-12
Reflecting on today's readings, I could not stop imagining the kind of consolation Ruth was to Naomi. She filled a void in the life of Naomi. Let us be consolation to one another. The part of the first reading that touched me was this: But Boaz answered her, '"All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before." In those words, I could see the image of Abraham, the father of faith, in Ruth. In her life we learn that if our good deed is beyond  that of pharisees and Sadducees, we will be noticed. We do not need to parade our good deeds before men; our good deeds will always be noticed and win us favour. Ruth's good deed was noticed and rewarded. Ruth did not know that her love for Naomi was noticed.  Hence, she said, “Why have I found favour in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, when I am a foreigner?” The temptation to think that our good deeds are not noticed is always there. However, let us yield not to the temptation lest we give the devil opportunity.
In today's gospel reading, the pharisees fell into the temptation of empty showoff. Jesus condemns empty showoff in pharisees and scribes. We are not to parade our good deeds before men; we are not to be like pharisees but like Ruth. We exalt ourselves when we parade our good deeds before men and put on showoff. Jesus says, "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” We are to do good with no regards to whether we are acknowledged or not.
Jesus also advises us that we should do good, not minding whether others, including the teachers, do it or not. He says, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do". What should make us do something is because it is good, not because people do it. Good should inspire us to do good. We should not allow the current of the time to carry us away.
St. Pius, whose memorial is today, was known as Joseph Sarto before he became Pope Pius X. He had as the goal of his pontificate to restore all things in Christ. Just like him, let us restore all things in Christ. Let us restore to God every aspect of our life.

Lord our God, help us to live for your glory and not to parade our good before men. Amen

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke