Reading: Matthew 6:1-6. 16-18 Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before me to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing; your alms-giving must be secret, and your father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. ‘And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites; they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and the street corners for people to see them. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.
When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do; they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know that you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.' Reflection
On this first day of Lent Jesus continues the teaching mission of the Beatitudes and calls each one of us to a new way of living. It is one of the few passages in the bible that are entirely composed of the words of Christ where he shows people how they are to live genuine, authentic lives that build up the body of Christ. Through the grace of this holy season, we rededicate ourselves to the God of love through our prayer, fasting and alms-giving where we desire to cleanse our hearts and our lives of all that may draw us away from God and each other. We are called each day to serve God’s people from a pure heart. Our response cannot be dependent on how we feel at the time but must be open to the needs of the other. In our aching world there are many opportunities to listen deeply for the voice of the Lord in the cry of the poor around us. Someone in our home, local community or workplaces may need a confidential listening ear that will relieve their pain and distress and renew their hope. When we respond in love we forget ourselves, focus on the need of the other person and how we may be able to help them to live life to the fullest each day. (John 10:10) We will not remember the hours of listening that may be needed to relieve their distress but rejoice with them if their burden is just a little lighter. The prayer that we offer for the other as we walk down the street will only be known to God and not trumpeted on social media or discussed over the breakfast table. If a call for alms is made, our response will be generous and remind us to be grateful for all that God in his generosity has done for us. All that we have is gift and on loan to us to be shared by all or given to those in greatest need. Any tendency to hypocrisy within our spirit will begin to be healed and we will come to know our dependency on God ever more each day. We will grow in humility and right relationship with each other. There will be no place to laud it over others but to genuinely care for the other pilgrim on the journey.
As you begin your Lenten journey where are you in your relationship with God? How would you like to deepen this relationship and what decisions may you need to make to do this.
We are invited to deeper our relationship with our creator through our times of prayer where God speaks to us in the deepest recesses of our souls. Like Jesus, we are invited to enter the inner room of our heart so that we may hear God’s calls to us at this time and rest in his love. Are you able and willing to set aside a certain period each day for prayer to listen in gratitude to all that God is offering to you at this time.
Your prayer may be personal or shared with others.
Are there passages in scripture that speak to your spirit and call you to deeper life in God.
Are you a member of a faith or church community that supports your life of prayer and service. If you do not have one, local churches or Christian organisations may be able to help you to find this community.
Our fast is an invitation to draw closer to God; we must not be gloomy or sad. Fasting can take many forms and through the grace of God can purify our way of living…. At this time of Lent you may need to fast from excessive t.v, social media, food, drink, illicit drugs, gossip, excessive shopping or other things. It can be helpful to ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are being called to grow at this time. When we fast we are asked to rejoice.
Alms-giving helps us to share what we have so generously received to support others. God does not wish you to place your health or family in jeopardy through alms-giving, but you may wish to consider what is appropriate for your circumstances to support others.
You may also be able to offer your time or skills as alms to support others. Our joyful witness born of our deepening relationship with our heavenly Father will invite others to want to know more about Jesus and his central place in our lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of this holy season of Lent. Open my heart to your graces at this time. Cleanse me of all hypocrisy.May I be generous to those in need and hungry for your most holy word in prayer. Fill me with a spirit of rejoicing that may draw others to you. Amen.
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