MY daily reflection and prayer:
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Ash Wednesday, The Beginning of Lenten Season
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus says, “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to 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 in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when 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 when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
AS we begin the Lenten season, in the Gospel today Jesus Christ reminds us the need to make reparation for our sins and be reconciled with God. During the Lenten season we have to do the three things: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to build a spiritual life. During Lenten season, Jesus Christ invites us to purify our hearts and minds and to turn our intentions back to him. During this season we are called intensively to commit to prayer, fasting and almsgiving as our spiritual exercises.
As we know it well, prayer purifies our intentions and relates all we do to God. Fasting detaches us from our comfort and from ourselves. Almsgiving reflects our brotherhood with the poor of Jesus’ family and reminds us that our true wealth is not in things, but in the love of God.
In the Gospel, Jesus encourages us to pray in private, to fast and give alms in secret, without calling the attention of others to what we are doing. In this way we can be sure we are doing all for love of God and for pleasing God alone.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist while worshipping Jesus Christ, we learn to pray intensively before him. It is sacrifice we can offer that will be pleasing to him.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you give us the grace to begin this Lent with great enthusiasm and love. Lord, you know how much we need you and depend on you. You know our weakness and our faults. May we start this season of Lent with a sincere desire to grow in love, preparing ourselves worthily to celebrate the mysteries of your passion, death and resurrection now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
