Ash Wednesday: 2nd March, 2022 March 2, 2022
Reflection on the WORD
Genuine Love: In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminded His disciples to give alms, pray and fast with a genuine love for God, and not for one’sself-glory. As we begin our Lenten season today, let us pray for a renewed desire to love God more deeply. Ponder on, “Will our alms giving be more generous, and our prayers and fasting, more fervent?”
Matthew 6:4-6, 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 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.
‘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.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- •Today is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of the season of Lent. This is a season where God’s graces will flow abundantly. This is a good time to take stock of how we want to deepen our faith experiences with God.
- •Jesus reminds us that when we pray, give alms and the like, we must be more aware of glorifying Him in what we do than falling into the impure motives of parading our “holiness.”
- •God who sees all that we do in secret will bless us abundantly. Thus, we are each called to live for God and to strive to live in His ways.