To dust we will return

Gospel
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

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.”

Reflection
Today is ash wednesday. It is a day when we remember we are dust and to dust we shall return. It is a time when we must remember whatever we have accumulated on earth is meaningless. It is a time when we remember to accumulate treasure in heaven through prayer, almsgiving and fasting. All this we do to reconcile with God. What do you plan to do to reconcile with God during lent?

Let us pray
Lord Jesus you went to the desert to pray and fast as a way to get closer to the father. We are also reminded from dust we are made to dust we will return.May we during this season of lent we too will follow your footstep by praying,fast and give alms as a way to be close to the father.

Amen

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