Reader one:
This reading from the gospel of Matthew is from a collection of the teachings of Jesus. These probably happened at various times, but Matthew collected them into one long teaching that is sometimes called, "The Sermon on the Mount." There probably was no sermon and no mount, but that doesn't really matter. It's the teaching and the story that are important.
The gospel of Matthew was written about the year 80, half a century after the death of Jesus. And the writer of this book has it in for the leaders of the synagogue. The synagogue leaders have refused to accept the tiny community of Jews who call themselves the people of "The Way." So let's keep that in mind as we listen.
Let's imagine Jesus and his disciples, standing near one of the synagogues. They have been watching the way people came to the synagogue to give alms - watching the faces of the givers - watching their body language.
They see a man of obvious wealth walk toward the collection box. He holds up a handful of shining coins - making sure everyone around can see. Then, slowly and ostentatiously, he drops the coins into the box, one by one. Clink! Clink! Clink!
When he is done, he turns around and everyone applauds. With a broad, self-satisfied smile, he walks toward his home.
Jesus gathers his disciples in closer. He speaks softly, almost in a whisper.
Reader two:
"Beware of practicing 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."
Reader one:
Having said that, Jesus raises his head, and notices another person coming into the synagogue. With a small gesture, Jesus invites the disciples to watch what happens. The man goes to the front of the synagogue, and in a loud voice begins to chant his prayers. His chanting gets louder and louder, his rocking back and forth becomes more and more vigorous. People stop and stare. Again, Jesus gathers his disciples around and speaks to them quietly.
Reader two:
"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."
Reader one:
We can imagine a puzzled look on the face of one of the disciples? "So, how should we pray?" Jesus takes them away from the busyness of the synagogue to a small grove of trees nearby. They sit down.
Reader two:
"Pray then in this way:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one."
Reader one:
We can imagine that this prayer would have raised many questions in the minds of the disciples who first heard it. "Am I supposed to forgive the debt of anyone who owes me some money?" Then as now, disciples of Jesus got most concerned when he spoke about money. "Do you really mean that?" they might have asked. Jesus nodded, yes. That's exactly what he meant.
Reader two:
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
"And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
"But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Reader one:
The day was at an end. Jesus and his disciples prepared to go to the home where they were staying. And we can imagine one disciple saying to another, 'You know, I think the toughest thing Jesus said all day was, 'They have their reward.' If you put on a show with your prayers and your giving and your fasting, people clap and smile, and that's it! That's all you get! But if you give and pray in secret, so nobody notices, you're heart is warmed by the love of God, and that lasts and lasts and lasts."
Ralph's list of readings and stories
 See also:
Lectionary Story Bible, Year A,
page 194.
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