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Reflect on the importance of secret acts of kindness and prayer in daily life, inspired by Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, through personal anecdotes and guidance.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Today’s lesson might be summed up with these words: “Whatcha doing and why?” As I write these words, I smile inwardly—I hear my mom’s voice!

My mom lived the Gospel of almsgiving very quietly. During her wake, person after person told us stories of how she gave. The time a family down the street, new to the neighborhood, lost their mom, meals showed up on a regular basis until things settled down for them. As my mom hugged another mom hello, a gift card would be slipped into the mom’s pocket. The family was on hard times. We had no idea of all the acts of giving.

My mom gave from her need. Our own finances were precarious at times. In hindsight, my mom’s almsgiving was an act of trust in Divine Providence. The Father “who sees in secret” repaid us endlessly, not with material rewards but with spiritual riches--graces of strength and spiritual gifts such as faith, hope, and love.

Jesus counsels the faithful,

“But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.” Matthew 6:6

Prayer is receptive and restorative. Withdrawing to my inner self, I allow myself to be seen by God. In the chaos we call family life, it is still important to draw inside of yourself to meet God. It may be as simple as a deep inhale, exhaling with the words, “God, I love You.”  And in that desire for stillness, even as the world whirls around you, "your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” 

 

Ponder:

Ponder the blessings you have as coming from the Father “who sees in secret [and] will repay you” for all the selfless acts you offer so generously to your family and give thanks.

 

Pray:

Lord Jesus, help me to see the tiniest of ways that I can withdraw to my inner room, even in the busy moments of my daily life.

 

Pray Together:

Pick one day this week for your family to set your phone alarm three times in the day to take a moment of silence and breath deeply, saying, “Lord, I love You.”

 


June 17

Copyright 2026 Dr. Lisa M. Gulino

 

About the Author

Dr. Lisa M. Gulino

Dr. Lisa M. Gulino

Dr. Gulino is a lay ecclesial minister with over 30 years' experience in pastoral ministry and teaching in higher education. She has served in Diocesan Ministries for a total of 22 years—Diocese of Fall River and Diocese of Providence. Additionally, she has several years in Parish Ministry. Lisa received her Doctorate in Ministry from the Catholic University of America in Spiritual Formation with emphasis in evangelization and catechesis. She wrote her dissertation on the spiritual and faith formation of the domestic church. Since 2007 Lisa has served as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph College for both theology and pastoral ministry courses. Her work with the Congregation of Holy Cross began in 2018 as a facilitator and advisor with the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame's STEP Program. And she also serves as a faculty member for the Permanent Diaconate program for the Diocese of Fall River. Lisa grew up in Attleboro, Massachusetts in the shadow of our Lady’s Mantle as she lived close to Lasalette Shrine and visited often with her family. She is the fifth of six children. She is the proud aunt of 11 nieces and nephews and 14 great nieces and nephews.