Reflection for Ash Wednesday. Reading the Word of God

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Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18  

Your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing; your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

  ‘And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them; I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room and, when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

  ‘When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.’

 Reflection on the readings

As we begin the season of Lent with a day of fasting and penance, we have also come for Mass to beseech the Lord for His forgiveness of our sins.

And later at Mass, ashes will be imposed on our foreheads as a sign of repentance.

Besides being a sign of repentance, ashes also remind us of some fundamental truths.

Ashes remind us of our humanity, that we are weak and frail, and that without God we are nothing at all.

Ashes remind us of our mortality, that when life comes to an end, we will return to dust.

Ashes remind us of our Creator, and that we are created by Him, and that we have no merit or credit of our own.

These ashes remind us to be humble before God, and that all our achievements and possessions count for nothing before God.

When we realize that we are nothing, then God can do something.

He will raise us up from the ashes of earth to the glory of above.

He will raise up our frail humanity to share in the glory of His divinity.

When we truly repent and know that we are mere ashes and dust, then God will pour out His saving love on us and grant us the reward of His promises.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a time of repentance, fasting, and spiritual growth. It is a time for us to reflect on our own lives and to turn away from our sins and towards God.

The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are a symbol of repentance and humility. They remind us of our own mortality and the need to turn away from sin and towards God. As the ashes are imposed on our foreheads in the shape of a cross, we are reminded of our need for a savior and the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross.

As we enter this season of Lent, let us take the time to reflect on our own lives and to turn away from our sins. Let us fast and pray, seeking God's forgiveness and guidance. And let us remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, and the love that God has for each and every one of us.

It's also a time to remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. It's a reminder that life is fleeting and we should make the most of it, by living it for God.

As we begin this season of Lent, let us open our hearts and minds to God's grace and mercy. Let us confess our sins and turn away from them, and let us strive to live our lives in a way that honors God and brings glory to his name.

May this Ash Wednesday be a time of renewal and repentance for us all. May we turn away from our sins and towards God, and may we grow in grace and holiness during this season of Lent. Amen.


   GOD BLESS YOU

Have a wonderful day.

Pray for me.

Wish you a happy and holy season of Lent