# Matthew Chapter 6
---
## Summary
Within this chapter Jesus begin with teaching on the exhibition of moral virtue. He then moves on to offer a pattern for prayer imploring individuals to forgive each other their sins. Jesus then discusses how individuals should approach fasting, before describing how individuals should be working for the future and not a reward in the present. Finally Jesus concludes his approach with a discussion of anxiety and the provision of God.

## Imagery and Theme's
One particular theme within this passage seems to be that of authenticity. In the opening to this chapter is a discussion of giving to the needy framed within the command not to to be a moral exhibitionist. Jesus is evidently teaching against a form of religious aesthetic whereby one performs religious action. This is also unpacked within the discussion on prayer whereby Jesus takes this further to label those that pray or fast and exhibit their action for the viewing pleasure of others as hypocrites. Perhaps because they exhibit the outward appearance of something which is internally distinct. There is therefore something about acting because it is the right thing to do, and not because others will see and think highly of me. 

This is particularly counter cultural whereby the exhibition of moral virtue is a necessity. For the liberals - How green are you? Are you an ally to the LGBTQ+? Do you support palestine? Are you Pro Choice? for the conservatives - Do you support free speech? Are you pro-family? Do you not support the real meaning of marriage? Do you not believe in individual responsibility? Society is incensed if you don't flaunt your assets. I mean how else will people know ou are a good person unless you perform for them? Jesus points out that we shouldn't be playing this game.

The next portion of this passage seems to be outlining the place that money should occupy within our salience hierarchy. What reward should motivate our actions? What attention should we give to money? What about my basic needs? Jesus implores the reader to work for a heavenly treasure (whatever that means), and outlines that the light of the body should not be darkness; which whilst a little cryptic in context seems to suggest the love of money. Ultimately with or without money there is clear reassurance that God will provide.

An interesting pattern I've found at work is working over lunch or after hours to make space in my diary the following day. This is almost always futile. I never see that time back because there is always something else that decides to occupy the time. In Practice I was in the habit of 'clearing my desk' of work by the end of the day as a way of managing stress. This was equally futile for the same reason. There is always another crisis. What I did find was being boundaried was one way to navigate this pitfall. If I decided to leave at this time, or go down for lunch irrespective surprisingly things still got done. This is the paradox of rest. I need to stop otherwise it will never happen seems unintuitive but it's all part of the pattern. This is sadly a less I have to keep coming back to.