Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading 
Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21

“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.” (NRSV)

Reflection

I must admit that I have always found this a strange text to link with Ash Wednesday. I rarely preach on it, even though we certainly read it. I tend to focus on the meaning of Ash Wednesday and the liturgy of that very particular service. But something caught my eye today as I reread this part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. I noticed that Jesus speaks of these spiritual practices (fasting, praying, giving alms) with an assumption that all those who are listening are already engaged in them. He does not say “If you give alms,” or, “If you pray,” or, “If you fast.” No. Rather he assumes that the faithful gathered around him are already engaged in an active spiritual life and that they would want to be challenged to go deeper through his teaching.

I find Jesus’ assumptions challenging in our day and time. I suppose it is because I do not assume that everyone is already doing all these spiritual practices. Personally, though I do pray and give, it is a rare moment when I fast. And yet, reading Jesus’ words today causes me to wonder what might happen if I did. Would my spiritual life be deepened in the way Jesus seems to promise? What could be possible if I lived into Jesus’ assumptions?

Prayer
Gracious Lord, deepen my desire to walk in your Way. Surround me with your grace and challenge. Take my assumptions and remake them to fit within yours. May my Lenten journey draw me ever closer to your heart. Amen.

Written by Shannon J. Kershner, Pastor

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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