Ash Wednesday
Gospel: Mt 6:1-6,16-18
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021424.cfm
Today is the first day of Lent. Today’s gospel prepares us for the Lenten journey. It showcases how we should approach almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. These actions should not be taken for recognition from others. The goal is not to appear pious but to be pious. I would go beyond that and say that these actions are motivated to help us grow in our relationship with God, others, and ourselves. If we are proud of these actions, they lack the right intent. If we are doing it for recognition, we are missing the point. These actions are transformational and unifying and connect us to our Divine source.
Almsgiving reminds us that our treasures are not our own, but they have been given to us to steward. To steward them is to share them. This almsgiving can be financial, but it can also be giving of our time and talents without the expectation of something in return. It can be realizing or changing our behaviors because we realize the impact it has on others and nature. Almsgiving transforms us into becoming more humble by seeing what is ours is actually ours to share. It helps us see the world beyond me and them to see all as part of a unifying us.
Prayer is a time we set aside for direct presence with God. As it is said at Ash Wednesday services: “All come from dust and from dust we shall return.” If all material things shall be lost; we should invest our time in what is eternal. Prayer connects us to our eternal source. It helps us see beyond our ego to the needs of others. It helps us see beyond our perspective to see things in a new way.
Fasting helps us reassess our priorities and allows us to see beyond our habits and our quests for gratification. Falling into routines and a static way of seeing the world is easy. Fasting allows for us to see the world from a new vantage point. It allows us to see new possibilities. There is more to reality than our own views. Things can be different. Things can be better. Things can be more appreciated. Fasting transforms us to go beyond ourselves.
This Lent consider how you can grow in love by your practice of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Remind yourself that It is not glory or perfection that you seek, but furthering your relationship with God, yourself, and others.
