Gospel and prayer

1:

person 1 read aloud:

Be careful not to practice your good deeds in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from God in heaven.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Believe me, they have had all the reward they'll get.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

in silence ask god for generosity and humility

2:

person 2 read aloud:

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Believe me, they have had all the reward they'll get.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to God, who is unseen. Then God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, who think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for God knows what you need before you ask.

all say together:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

3:

person 3 read aloud:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

in silence ask god for delivery from materialism and wrong desires

4:

person 4 read aloud:

Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the unbelievers run after all these things, and God knows that you need them. But seek first God's realm and God's ways, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

in silence ask god for hope and freedom from fear