Today's Gospel raises a difficult question: if only God, and no one else, notices the good works that I do, is this enough for me?

Affirmation and praise from others can be a great encouragement. However, relying on praise from others is like building our lives on a shaky foundation. When praise comes from others, it tastes sweet. When it does not come, we are crushed.

There is another way. In chapter 6 of Matthew, Jesus invites us to have our relationship with God as the centre of our lives. This happens when we "close the door", let go of the other voices in life and simply spend time with God. When we do this, even for a few minutes a day, we change. We gradually realize that it is not essential for other people to notice the good that we do. As we spend time with God, we move from knowing that we are loved unconditionally, to tasting this love. We begin to hear God's voice of deep and steady affirmation.