Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:

“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.

And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray,

do not be like the hypocrites,

who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners

so that others may see them.

Amen, I say to you,

they have received their reward.

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.

“When you fast,

do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.

They neglect their appearance,

so that they may appear to others to be fasting.

Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, at the beginning of this season of Lent, I ask that you help me live these forty days in a spirit of repentance, contrition, and self-denial. I want to be victorious in the battle against sin and I know that I can be with your grace.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Our Sensitive Appetites and Fasting: As we begin the season of Lent, we can contemplate how the three practices of Lent help us direct and develop our human powers and appetites. Human beings are not just spiritual creatures with intellects and wills. We are also living animals and have two main sensitive appetites. Like other animals, we desire, crave, and are inclined to certain goods like food and drink. And we also flee from harmful things and can push through difficult things to reach a desired goal. The first sensitive appetite we share with animals is called the concupiscible appetite. This is the appetite that makes us desire pleasing things and avoid painful ones. Unfortunately, however, it is difficult for us to moderate and control this appetite, and we can indulge too much in pleasurable things. The second appetite is called the irascible appetite, by which we handle challenging, arduous goods or obstacles. Unfortunately, we can at times give in to weakness and give up when, in truth, we need to persevere. Both appetites need good habits or virtues to dispose them properly. The Lenten practice of fasting is especially good at disposing our concupiscible appetite toward the good and aiding our irascible appetite to persevere through difficulties. Fasting moderates our cravings and combats inordinate sensual desires. Fasting also builds discipline, develops our patience, and channels our energy toward the good.

2. Our Intellect and Prayer: The second Lenten practice of prayer helps to form the spiritual power of our intellect. There are three main types of prayer, and each helps dispose our intellect properly toward God. Vocal prayer finds inspiration in the Psalms and the prayers of the Church. It teaches us humility and to ask good things from our heavenly Father. The second type of prayer, meditation, invites us to discern the will of God in our lives and wrestle with divinely revealed truth. Meditation is a conversation with God and his Word. In it, we hear his voice and are moved to conform our lives to his holy will. The third type of prayer, contemplative prayer, draws us into the mystery of God, and through it we are united with the one with whom we will spend all eternity. The ultimate goal of human life is the beatific vision of God. True contemplative prayer anticipates imperfectly that heavenly vision, what our intellect most desires. During Lent, we are encouraged to be men and women of prayer.

3. Our Will and Almsgiving: The third Lenten practice is almsgiving. It especially helps our will live virtuously. Whether it is a question of the virtue of justice or that of charity, almsgiving is most helpful. When we live justly, we give to others what we owe them. When we live according to the new law of charity, we will what is good for others. Almsgiving helps us be detached from earthly passing things and use them properly. “Just as fasting is a spiritual remedy for the disordered desire for pleasure (‘the lust of the flesh’), so almsgiving is a spiritual remedy for the disordered desire for possessions (‘the lust of the eyes’)” (Pitre, Introduction to the Spiritual Life, 79). By discreetly and voluntarily giving money or other possessions to the poor, we store up heavenly treasure. Since our will can easily be attached to earthly things, we need to refocus it on and direct it toward heavenly things, and almsgiving is an effective way to do this.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I want to accompany you in the wilderness during these forty days and forty nights. I desire to learn from you and understand how to combat the temptations of the devil. Strengthen my will to seek always the will of your Father.

Living the Word of God: What is God asking from me this Lent? How can I enter into deeper communion with God through prayer? How can I serve my brothers and sisters through almsgiving? How can I deny myself through fasting?