Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 6:1–6, 16–18
March 2, 2022 | Wednesday

Today’s Gospel

Be careful not to make a show of your good deeds before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven. When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be noticed in the synagogues and in the streets, in order to be praised by people. I assure you, they have their reward. If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

When you pray, do not be like those who want to be noticed. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners in order to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have their reward. When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept secret will reward you.

When you fast, do not put on a miserable face as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face, so that people can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already. When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for your Father who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

Today’s Reflection:

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. Throughout this season, we shall reflect on Christ’s gradual self-emptying which will culminate in His death on the cross. This means that Lent is the time of Christ’s lowest moments, hence this shall be the most appropriate time to manifest the authenticity of our commitments as Christ’s followers and friends. As Christ’s true brethren, how can we better show our fidelity to Him than to show Him that we are one with Him in his sufferings and that we imbibe and participate in His selfless ideals?

However, this period does not only invite us to commemorate His lowest moments, but we must also reminisce on the most loving moments of our Lord. Love is the reason why Christ performs self-denials. It should also be our motivation in performing the Lenten practices of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. /Vulnerasti, 2022