Midweek Mass Sermon, 17.06.2026 @St Mark

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

There is a story told about a famous concert pianist who was applauded by thousands after a magnificent performance. As the audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation, a friend noticed that the pianist seemed strangely unmoved. Later he asked him, “Why weren’t you excited by all that applause?”

The pianist replied, “Because there was one person in the audience whose opinion mattered more to me than everyone else’s. My old teacher was there tonight. I kept looking at him. If he approved, that was enough.”

That story raises an important question: Whose approval are we really seeking?

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on that question.

In the Gospel, Jesus warns against practising our faith in order to be seen by others. He speaks about giving, praying, and fasting—three pillars of Jewish spirituality. Notice that Jesus does not say if you give, pray, or fast. He says when. He assumes that disciples will do these things.

The issue is not the action but the motivation.

The hypocrites, Jesus says, perform their acts of devotion publicly so that others may admire them. Their reward is the praise they receive. But disciples are called to a deeper spirituality—one that seeks the approval of God rather than the applause of people.

Jesus speaks repeatedly of “your Father who sees in secret.”

That phrase is the key to the whole passage.

The Christian life is lived before an audience of One.

Prayer is not performance.
Giving is not publicity.
Fasting is not self-advertisement.

True discipleship flows from a relationship with God that is often hidden from public view.

And that brings us to Elijah and Elisha.

The reading from 2 Kings describes one of the most moving moments in Scripture. Elijah’s earthly ministry is drawing to a close. He is about to be taken into heaven. Yet Elisha refuses to leave him. Three times Elijah tells him to stay behind, and three times Elisha insists on following.

Why?

Because Elisha understands that spiritual authority is not inherited casually. It is formed through faithful companionship, perseverance, and devotion.

When Elijah is taken up in the whirlwind, Elisha cries out, “My father, my father!” and picks up Elijah’s mantle.

The mantle is more than a cloak. It represents the continuation of God’s work and God’s calling.

But notice something important.

Before Elisha receives the mantle publicly, he has walked faithfully with Elijah privately.

Before there is visible ministry, there is hidden formation.

Before there is public authority, there is private faithfulness.

That principle runs through both readings.

Our culture often celebrates visibility. Social media encourages us to broadcast everything. Success is frequently measured by attention, influence, and recognition.

Yet God’s kingdom often works differently.

The most important work of God in our lives usually happens in secret.

In the quiet prayer nobody sees.
In the act of generosity nobody notices.
In the sacrifice known only to God.
In the years of faithful discipleship before any public recognition comes.

The theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote:

“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.”

In a similar way, the person who seeks recognition may lose sight of God, but the person who seeks God often finds that God can use them powerfully.

Elisha’s power at the Jordan did not begin when he struck the water with Elijah’s mantle. It began long before, in years of faithful service, learning, listening, and perseverance.

Likewise, Jesus teaches that authentic spirituality grows in the secret place.

The Father who sees in secret sees every prayer.
Every act of kindness.
Every hidden sacrifice.
Every tear.
Every faithful step.

And the wonderful promise is this: what is done for God is never unseen by God.

So today let us ask ourselves: Whose approval am I seeking?

The praise of others fades quickly. Public recognition comes and goes. But the smile of God endures forever.

May we learn from Elisha to remain faithful in the hidden years, and from Jesus to seek first the approval of our Father in heaven.

For it is often in the secret place that God prepares us for His greatest work.

Amen.