Does God hear our prayers? The archangel Raphael describes how our prayers are presented to God and how angels are with and around us. God’s faithfulness is for those who call upon him. We should praise God, fast, give alms, and be righteous. We are called to turn to God and do what is true before God. “To give alms than to treasure up gold”. The word ‘alms’ reminds us that our social system has injustice and unequal distribution of many things. Pope Francis once said “If money and material things become the centre of our lives, they seize us and make us slaves.” Many people accumulate wealth and do some charitable work to compensate for not de- pending on God. Today’s reading says: “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Let us examine our interior motives for giving: Am I ready to share? Am I ready to give myself to God and for others? Jesus wants us to store up treasures in heaven by giving not because God is watching but out of love for others.

Prayer: Abba Father, grant me the grace to depend on you so I may be able to share your love and mercy with others. Amen.