Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18
1"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. 2"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. 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5"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. 6But 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. 16"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. 17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18that 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.
What touched my Soul
Today we start Lent, the great preparation journey to Easter.
Today, the church chose a gospel from Matthew that warn us against the public piety and the “hypocrites” way of living our Christian lifes. This have particular relevance in the Lent period.
This a great period to repent and confess our faults. A great time to everyday give a little of us to the others. Dedicate ourselves to serve. Share the talents God gave us helping our neighbours.
‘Repent and believe in the Gospel’ are the ritual words taken from Mark‘s gospel, repeated by the priest, when doing a cross of ashes in our foreheads. This is a sign of our mortal condition, but also an invitation to repent and reborn with Christ.
Let’s pray to the Lord and ask him the strength, the wisdom, the faith to live this Lent in true Christian spirit. ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel’
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