Image from millenialpastor.net
‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rustconsume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)
Today is Ash Wednesday, the formal start of Lent, a forty day (not counting Sundays) walk with God. It is meant to be a time when we draw closer to God by praying and fasting, worshiping and praising God. Fasting takes different meaning for different people. Some will indeed give up physical food for spiritual nourishment. Instead of eating three meals, they will eat two, the third one will be a time of prayer or reading from the Bible. Some will give up sugar and so during these forty days will not touch anything that has sugar in it. Others will give up something meaningful to take up something more meaningful. It's a private matter between you and God.
When Jesus spoke about spiritual disciplines in the above passage, He said this was a matter between us and our Father in heaven. We do it not for the outward approval or acknowledgement of others, but for what it can truly mean to be connecting with God. Our outward appearance should reflect the true joy that is ours when we are truly walking with God. The aim of this time should be to build up our heavenly treasure; the peace and joy that comes from knowing God, from trusting God, from loving God, and working for God. Our heart should reflect where our true treasure lies, with God.
PRAYER: LORD, for all who begin this spiritual journey, grant Your peace on them. May it truly reflect where we are in our relationship with You. May this be a time in which our treasure there with us grows so that our blessings here may be shared with others. This we pray in Christ Jesus our Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Update: Rev. John Cochran will remain the hospital for about three days. Some concerns have arisen about his liver and they want to make sure there is not a stone in the duct. This morning will see him get new blood work and if that comes back clear then surgery will happen today. So, please continue to pray for him.
Here is a video on this week's gospel reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp8dv7mqLyg&t=15s
