March 4, 2025
— Jesus
With Ash Wednesday, we begin our Lenten journey. The spiritual road map for this penitential season is based on what is known as the Three Pillars of Lent, which are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
The three pillars are found in Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, the Gospel read on Ash Wednesday. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says:
“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….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 others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
It’s certainly wise to keep his words in mind. So many of us are looking for spiritual advice…and what better advice is there than the words that come straight from the Master.
©J Pisani
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