Matthew 6:1-4: ‘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.
2 ‘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. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
We know the expression- pride goes before the fall. We will experience a fall of sorts as we enter this new season of Lent! We care very much about reputations and like to leave a good impression on others. However, we are called to please and God- not to impress others! What we do should be a reflection of what Jesus has taught us! He is reminding us to stay humble and do things out of the kindness of our hearts- not for our egos or self-interest.
Lent is a time to remember, to journey with Jesus. Many practice a fasting of sorts. We can give up a poor attitude and replace it with positivity. Pope Francis once shared these words:
“Fast from hurting words and replace them with kindness. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and have trust in God. Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressure and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy. Fast from selfishness; be compassionate. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words; be silent and listen.”
I pray as we enter this new season as the church we consider these possible changes of attitude and may we journey with Jesus together this season.
Pastor Danny