The Word God Spells

Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18
Jl 2:12-18 / Ps 51 / 2 Cor 5:20–6:2

. . . and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
(Matt 6:4,6 & 18)

Good deeds that seek a ton of praise
Are only worth an ounce of grace.
Kind acts performed in secrecy
Live on for all eternity.

Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 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. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not pray like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, to be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But 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. 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. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that 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.

Reflection

Six times our Lord Jesus mentioned the word “secret” — perhaps because He wanted to emphasize that no good deed done for the praise of men ever gained any spiritual benefits. This is the common pitfall of everyone who has a hidden desire for recognition. Some say it is just human nature to crave for acceptance from our peers. But this is a short step away from seeking their adulation if not tempered with humility. That is why our Lord admonishes us to hide all our good deeds, so that we may not fall into this weakness, this flaw in our human nature. Giving alms, fasting, and abstaining from pleasure are effective ways of atoning for sins, but only if done in secrecy.

Today’s Gospel passage comes at a most interesting time: the season of Lent, which starts today, has coincided with the start of the election campaign period. At a time when our Church is calling upon the faithful to practice penitence, forgiveness, simplicity and restraint, we must brace ourselves for the inevitable onslaught of candidates trumpeting their accomplishments and/or sterling qualifications to a public tired of political show-offs. One candidate for senator who had previously been involved in a graft case even has the gall to use integrity as his campaign slogan! If his intentions are noble, then why is he goading an unsuspecting world-renowned pugilist to enter an arena that he is not even qualified for? It is plain to see that all he wants from the poor boxer is his winning endorsement. And where is the humility of this “champion of the masses”, to think that he can be a good lawmaker when he did not even finish highschool? No, they can never keep secret the hypocrisy of their intentions. We must all pray for his enlightenment before it is too late.

A humble heart, Lord, let me find, take away all feelings of righteousness and pride; make me constantly realize that all my sacrifices mean nothing if not done in repentance for all my sins. Amen.