Q: Where is the middle ground between praying in an inner room and praying outside to be a light to the world and showing God’s glory through you? For instance, if you are in adoration, is it OK to kneel even if you are the only kneeling out of respect for God, or just because you want other people to see that you are God-fearing? — S.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:
What is important is that whatever we do, we do with purity of intention.
People might notice that you kneel at adoration, but your intention should be to show respect for God, not to be noticed by others.
Purity of intention tends to be an ongoing battle in our lives.
In any case, the ideal is that we do the right thing for the right motives. Which is to say: for the glory of God and the benefit of others.
