Gospel – Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18
‘Beware of practising 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.
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for People of the Parish
Reflection:
Jesus, is really challenging us as he puts before us the highest ideals. We waive our rights for the benefit of others – No revenge! No retaliation! When Jesus was struck on the face at his trial by the high priest, he calmly asked the culprit, “Why do you strike me?”
Jesus calls for generosity – Give! Share! Lend! When somebody is looking for help, do we pass by on the other side, like the priest in the parable of the Good Samaritan?
Pope Francis calls on us not to ignore anybody begging on the street, and says, the way one reaches out to the person looking for help must be done “by looking them in the eyes and touching their hands”.
- Are you willing to take the challenge that Jesus places before us today, No revenge! No retaliation!
- Jesus is calling you and I to Give! Share! And Lend! When somebody is looking for help!
- Lent is a new beginning to try harder and make a difference to our relationship with Jesus?
- Bishop Patrick has given every single member of his diocesan family a ‘Walk With Me’ Lenten Prayer Booklet. This edition explores the gift of prayer alongside the great themes of Lent:
‘Conversion’
‘Transformative Healing’
‘The Pascal Mystery’
My friends allow yourselves to embrace and engage with the Divine Grace Jesus is offering you this Lent, to come home to him anew!
