The priest put ashes on my forehead,
reminded me where I had come from and where I was going…then he read from
chapter 6 of Matthew’s gospel.
… “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly
Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to
you, they have
received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret.”…. “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...”
….“But when you fast, 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.”…
Perhaps I should wipe the smudge
from my face…comb my hair, put a smile on my face and not let anyone know what
I’m up to.
Fasting will be very difficult for
me because I spend most of my time thinking about the next meal, the next snack
and the next donut.
But I am going to accept the Lenten
challenge…the challenge to practice a little self-denial. Like a fattened bear that enters his
winter den to hibernate…I will go to my inner room, close the door and pray.
Amen.
