Loving Silence, Quiet Service

In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us the norms for prayer and doing good deeds:  We are not to draw attention to ourselves in either prayer or service to others.  Privacy in prayer seems to be a preference, behind closed doors so that the Father who sees in secret will repay. (cf. Mt 6:5) Righteous deeds, giving of alms, should be done without a trumpet blare; there's no reward from the Father for such, because being seen is reward enough.  It seems there is a fine line between being public and private in these things.   We want to give good example, and witness to others how to serve and pray, yet, we do not want to draw attention to ourselves.  Our Marist way of "doing good quietly, in the Way of Mary seems to be the model for us to follow.  She sang the praises of God in her Magnificat, giving the credit to him for the marvelous gift he gave to her, and put herself in the background, as her life testifies.  She was a presnece with Jesus right to the foot of the cross.  Being such a presence comes from a close relationship with Jesus, one that is fostered by spending time with him in loving silence.  In these private moments, we receive the grace to give quiet service.
Bro. Rene