Hi, friends. I'm Annie F. Downs. Let's read the Gospels. The Gospels are the first four books of

the New Testament in the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are the stories of Jesus Christ's

life on earth, the friendships, the parables, the sacrifices, the meals, the miracles. So every month,

so far this year we have read all four books in Let's Read the Gospels. Make sure you're subscribed

today. Join us as we read the Gospels together. We say often around here, you don't have to be in

the Gospels every day to be changed, but every day you're in the Gospels will change you. So

whether this is your first day this month or you've been with us all along, we are so glad you're

here today. Here's how it works. I will read three chapters to you today and you can listen or read

along in your own Bible and then I'll pray and that's it. So today is October 8th and I'll be reading

Matthew, chapter 6 through 8. And this month I'm reading from the NRSV Catholic Edition.

Matthew 6. Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them. For then you

have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before

you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may be praised by others.

Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left

hand know what your right hand is doing so that your alms may be done in secret and your Father

who sees and secret will reward you. And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites where they

love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners so that they may be seen by

others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room

and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees and secret will

reward you. When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do for they think

that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them for your Father knows what

you need before you ask him. Pray then in this way, our Father in heaven, howl would be your name,

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