Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: February 14, 2024

Date:   Ash Wednesday

Scripture Text:  Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (USCCB Daily Readings)

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today, Ash Wednesday, is taken from Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount and recounts Jesus’ instruction to the disciples and crowd of how to conduct ourselves as true daughters and sons of the Almighty and Loving Father. It is this reading that Christians draw upon when explaining the focus of Lent: prayer, almsgiving and fasting. Jesus presents us with the path to heavenly reward rather than immediate rewards of praise from others; the first path is authentic whereas the latter is disingenuous.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How authentic am I really? Is my motivation love for my LORD and love for my sisters and brothers?  

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we raise our voices in praise of You. We acknowledge that it is only because of You that we are and it is only because of your love that we have life. We give thanks for our lives and for your power and presence in our world. We lift our minds and hearts and spirits to You as we begin this Lenten journey. We seek your help in using this time to grow in our relationship with You and in our relationships with our sisters and brothers. In our prayer, we beg of You to draw us nearer to You and to deepen our love for You. In our almsgiving, we ask for help in seeking meaningful ways of ministering to one another for love of You as well as for love of one another. And in our fasting, grant that we may more perfectly recognize our dependence upon You. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.