DGeMs- Daily Gospel eMessage
Dear Friend in the Lord,
Ash Wednesday – “Joy”: Today, we “celebrate” Ash Wednesday. For the next six weeks, the Church reminds us to be more vigilant in the living of our faith through greater: almsgiving, fasting and prayers. All these spiritual exercises are to be done with joy; knowing that they will draw us closer to God.
Fr Philip Heng, S.J.
Matthew 6:4-6, 16a, 17-18
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Your almsgiving 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 at the street corners for people to see them. I tell you, 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. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know 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.’