To read: Matthew 6:1-6; 16-21
New Revised Standard Version Bible,Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell 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 done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever 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 whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
To think about:
The
older I get, the more this text challenges and confounds. What is this about? In most of our churches on Ash Wednesday, the pastor will put a black cross on our foreheads. If you are balding - the mark will be bold as the ashen cross marches across on your forehead. When I was a boy, I was jealous of the "Catholic kids" who would go to mass before school and get to wear their black cross all day! I wanted to be just like them - proud of my piety!
And then I read this lesson and say, "Maybe we got it all wrong. Perhaps we should not practice our piety - too obviously." Lent begins today and most folks will ignore these 40 days of preparation. Even our church people will make little comments about "giving up something for Lent" but, beyond these superficialities, will ignore the daily prayer, fasting, weekly worship, confession and repentance, and extra alms giving which are the tools of this spiritual discipline. Our problem in the modern church is not practicing our piety - instead it is ignoring God and our relationship to the One who redeemed the world.
So I will put on ashes. I will kneel and receive this mark of death on my brow knowing that the words, "You are dust and to dust you shall return," is prophetic of my coming death. And I will pray that the death that comes will not be for several more decades. However, I am determined not to act "dismal like the hypocrites." I know that I am a sinner and I recognize the fact that sin kills. More than that honest recognition of my own hypocrisy, I am convinced that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ Jesus my Lord.
To pray:
Lord Jesus, you are life. Help me to cling to life - to you. Amen.
Bishop, Northern Great Lakes Synod