A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Jesus said to his disciples: “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.”
In today’s Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday, Jesus tells his disciples three key things that are vital for Lent: give alms, pray, and fast. In giving alms, he says, give secretly so that God will repay you in secret. Do the same in prayer, Jesus says, not drawing attention to yourself. And in fasting, Jesus says, “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.” What is Jesus saying about a relationship with the Father that is brought about by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving?
God, help me hear the words that Jesus spoke to the disciples, recognizing that they are likewise spoken to me in the present day. In the first reading from Joel, the words “return to me with your whole heart” invite anyone who hears them into relationship with God, who is gracious and merciful and “slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” God, through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, you give us a means to return wholeheartedly to your mercy, as Saint Paul says, to be reconciled to you.
During the distribution of the ashes, the priest or minister says, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” They might say instead: “Repent and believe in the gospel.” Lord, help me think of this moment throughout the day as I prepare to receive the ashes and afterward. It is another opportunity to spend time with you in the inner room of the heart, your means of sustaining in me a willing spirit. From the Gospel acclamation: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.