Don't Pray Like the Hypocrites | Bible Study W/ Aquinas

[@jrdavis9578]

I do very much enjoy all your content, despite not being Catholic. Thanks for all you do Matt and team! Also, the part you mentioned about such vain prayers being an idol struck me as well.

[@mary_quin]

Like what you said Matt, before when I'm commuting and praying the rosary, I'm sometimes conflicted that fellow passengers are seeing me do it, but then I just hope that it will influence them to pray, like how it influenced me or reminded me to do so when I see someone pray the rosary. But now I'm happy to know that it's all about the intention when praying in public. Thank you for today! Hopefully I'll be able to catch you live on next week's Bible study! God bless!

[@matthewcurrey7881]

Thanks for the video. I appreciate the honesty in what you shared about feeling proud after someone walked in on you praying in the dark. Even if our intentions are good at the start, it is so easy to get caught up in the desires of this world. God bless!

[@cameronbishop1116]

Love the Bible studies, keep it up!!

[@beneaththedogwoodtree7944]

Will you please make a Bible Study play list? LOVE THESE. Thank you!

[@hunterfortruth6036]

Thank you. I 100% agree. Sometimes I like go walking while praying and it's a public space but I do it with my head bent down so I don't see anyone. (Sometimes there will be headbutts 😂) and with that I pull out my rosary and pray silently I think like you do Frad that people may be triggered to start praying. Again Thank you.

[@matthewcunningham5382]

At the end of the episode Matt, you wondered if your content was good. I can speak for myself but your content is very good (and I’m not saying that just to be nice). May God continue to bless you and your work

[@JohnR.T.B.]

Just sharing my thoughts. When we pray during Holy Mass or during religious festivals and sacred processions, it is unavoidable that we are seen by others, but the point is clear that when we bring prayers, our focus and intention have to be fully to God and not the audience. Because there are people who love praying in public places; streets, restaurants, open spaces, religious sites, for the purpose of getting attention and not because they have to. I think this particular Bible passage is pretty straight forward and self-explanatory; although it may be misunderstood if you think that if you pray and allow yourself to be seen by others you are a hypocrite, nope. The hypocrites are called hypocrites because they are the pharisees and scribes who preach but do not do what they teach, not actually because of their public worships or prayers. A priest who conducts a Holy Mass must be seen by others, including those who are still learning the faith.

[@Chakra_king]

Great vid: currently a Catholic catechumen, and even tho I have been an Anglican all my life, hearing it from the Church Fathers through your videos really helps me see the scriptures in a fresh new light. Deus Benedificat Matt Fradd!! Pax et Bonum!

[@JM-qs8up]

One of the best yet!

[@Tartersauce101]

So if I am understanding he seems to place all the importance on *intentions* vs results. So if you intend the glory for yourself then you are counted among the hypocrites. If you obtain some glory by happenstance, then so be it.

[@AveChristusRex]

Yes, because happenstance excludes intention, and thus sin.

[@juliesaddler9775]

Thank you for your Bible studies, please keep doing them.

[@kyrieeleison1905]

Prayer is an intimate conversation where you discuss your deepest thoughts. Praying openly reminds me of people who talk loudly on the train in hopes that others will hear them and be impressed by their wit etc.

[@analuciacamacho1671]

Thank you! I love this, its really usefull. Also, i have a friend who is a great person, but there was something about her that reaally made me umconfortsbke that I could put my finger on, for years, and now i can, thank to you. It sounds judgy but it was driving me crazy, i didnt know if i was being envious or if she was actually doing somethingh wrong. Now i can rest in peace. Just sharing this cause it meant a lot to me. God bless you, and thanks again for inspiring me and help me grow 💕

[@bartonbrown7954]

Thank you, Matt.

[@christopherluna9677]

Please keep doing these Bible studies.

[@AaronReefman]

Thanks so much Matt! This was a real encouragement for me "a man can scarcely hold his mind so that it does not wander into diverse things" - coming from Chrysostom as you said. Gonna make a note of that!

[@r2b492]

This was and interesting follow along. I enjoyed the candid stories you shared too. God bless

[@mikerogan9389]

Love Matt’s honesty.

[@tkrohnjr]

Jesus teaching us all to pray in private (Matt 6:5-6) and then also teaching us the words we pray (Matt 6:9-13) using words that give a corporate identity to the prayer (“our,” “us,” and “we,”) evokes a very powerful idea of all of Christendom in private, throughout all of history, and until the end praying one prayer together.

[@josephjude1290]

I'm Eastern Orthodox. I love your bible studies. Maybe discuss some commentary from Saint Gregory Palmas.

[@adrianagranados4140]

I have the exact same cup for my husbands expresso !

[@neilwalkowski3063]

Thank you Matt!

[@hedo9392]

I found this very interesting, I mostly pray the rosary whilst walking around my neighbourhood with the rosary in my hands hoping people passing me by see it. I do this not for a reward or for praise but because I'm hoping it would set something off in them in terms of prayer.... I have some reflection to do over this now...

[@iveacendedboyos1555]

do no pray vain repetitions

[@elsamascarenhas9327]

kind sir!! I wonder if you like listening to Dr. Brant Pitre!! since you call so many lovely influencers and have educational discussions with them, I really think all your followers would love seeing you talk to Dr. Brant Pitre!!!

[@austinjackson7103]

Lutheran here, great thoughts!

[@jmanhellhoundkiller]

I am still a little confused. Like I know there are times when I am supposed to lead a group in prayer like if I’m leading a reflection or something akin. But I also have no sort particular athourity to lead others on prayer. This verse is always so confusing to me; like I know I am prideful sometimes about prayer, but I know it’s also important to be a witness. Also a lot of times I am worried about not wanting to be seen praying in public: I went though a phase where I felt it would be sinful to not noticeably make the sign of the cross before praying because I would be hiding my face (I’ve since determined that it’s okay to make the sign of the cross in my palm or just on my heart😅)

[@infjqueen8133]

Love this 👏👏👏

[@austinjackson7103]

I've had issues with the haughty private prayers. They make me feel pious. I realize they aren't right, I also get really wordy in my private prayers when God just wants true, simple feelings from his people.

[@dymphnatherese2595]

So glad to have found your bible study! I was a little confused at the end because I've prayed the Chaplet of Divine mercy by myself and with a friend when traveling in the train station. We didn't want to be seen but couldn't avoid the people and it was 3PM. Is that an acceptable condition? We tried to keep it very quiet but we did inevitably draw a little attention. Should we do it in our heads next time?

[@_eemjee_]

i just noticed that you do the Sign of the Cross, the Orthodox way. why is that Sir?

[@ablethanegray]

How might this apply to corporate prayer, specifically the problem of mental constancy? I find it difficult not to compare the words of my prayers to those of my brothers and sisters, and similarly difficult not to imagine what they might think of them, especially as a new Christian still developing familiarity and comfort with prayer.

[@tMatt5M]

Aka don't virtue signal! I've never considered virtue signaling to be idolatry before.

[@worldlypersonal1042]

I've been reflecting about this very christian thing whenever I watched muslims do their prayer. The muslims got it wrong right at the start.

[@erickfernandus2345]

Hi Matt! Just noticed that you make a cross sign with the tradition of the east. I love it also. But, why not using the Roman Catholic?

[@thepopeyesapologist6636]

Symbol of silent protest.

[@erravi]

He is a Byzantine rite Catholic

[@lilykearns6430]

What about praying outside abortion clinics?

[@benedictchoong]

👍

[@agaliasis]

Hey Matt, which is the commentary you are using?

[@dannyallen2894]

Aquinas’ Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew

[@agaliasis]

@@dannyallen2894 Thank you!

[@erravi]

Comically small coffee cup 😉