Homily | June 17, 2026 | Choosing Holiness Over Applause In A Culture Of Visibility | (Episode 164) cover art

Homily | June 17, 2026 | Choosing Holiness Over Applause In A Culture Of Visibility | (Episode 164)

Homily | June 17, 2026 | Choosing Holiness Over Applause In A Culture Of Visibility | (Episode 164)

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Who are you living for when nobody is watching? That question sits under our habits, our goals, and even our best religious moments, and it doesn’t let us hide behind “good intentions.” We reflect on Elisha standing before Elijah and making a surprising request: not success, not status, not influence, but a double portion of the spirit. It’s a desire for intimacy with God, for holiness, for the one treasure you can’t buy, inherit, or borrow from someone else’s reputation.

From there, we turn to Jesus’ teaching on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and the uncomfortable “why” behind all three. The issue isn’t knowing what to do. The issue is the temptation to do it for the praise of others, to build an image instead of a soul. In a world shaped by social media visibility where everything gets posted, documented, and optimized, even generosity and devotion can become performance. Jesus’ warning lands with force: if applause is the reward you’re after, applause is all you’ll get.

We also wrestle with a true test of spiritual maturity: would I still pray, serve, give, and stay faithful if nobody ever noticed or thanked me? God works powerfully in hidden places. Jesus Himself spent most of His life in obscurity, and the strongest Christians are often the quietest. If you’re hungry for real Christian discipleship, spiritual growth, and a faith that doesn’t depend on recognition, this conversation will help you reset your aim toward God as the reward. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with your answer: what’s one hidden act of faith you want to reclaim?

Thank you for listening! Visit us at www.saintaugustinechurch.org

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