Preparing for Lent
“Beware of practicing your righteousness 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.”
Matthew 6:1-6
This portion of Matthew’s Gospel is the Gospel lesson we will hear in a couple of days at the services on Ash Wednesday. On that day, following the sermon, the celebrant will invite us to the observance of a Holy Lent. For me, this is one of the most meaningful services in our Church year. This is an opportunity to intentionally enter into a holy season of reflection and repentance, preparing ourselves for the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
In Matthew’s Gospel, we hear Jesus telling us how we should conduct ourselves as we go about our lives giving and praying. Followers of Jesus should not give so that others will know that they have given and should not pray to make sure others hear them and see them praying. When we give, we should be joyful givers. And that joy should come from our hearts, not because our neighbors see that we are giving. When we pray, we should not be praying so that others will recognize our prayers. We should pray so that we can hear God’s call to us in our lives.
I wish you peace and strength as you prepare to begin your journey through this upcoming holy season of Lent, that as you give, pray and repent, you may feel God’s love and God’s call to you as a follower of Jesus.
