PIETY (2-17-10)

Today is Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6:1 -18
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them. When you give alms…when you pray… when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites… And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
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You can see them in the street – pictures of politicians with words telling the people about what he did, what he donated, what he constructed – all for the good of his constituents. All for show...so that, he will be elected the next time again, and "earn" more money that what he really give to his constituents.

You can hear them – "I have donated thousands of pesos in my Church, I have helped a lot of people when they come to me. I am saying this so you may also do the same thing it to others."

Yes, of course. But we must also take care not to perform righteous deeds for show.

Because our Father sees what is hidden and will repay us. For He is the true judge of our worthiness to be with Him eternally.

And the ashes imposed on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday are a reminder of our unworthiness and sinfulness that corrupts and stains us and leads to death (we return to the dust from whence we came).

Ashes remind us of our original sin and our need of redemption ¬ our need to be cleansed of sin and made worthy of Salvation. We also acknowledge the sacrifice of Christ, who forever substituted His own death for the "burnt offerings" made by Old Testament priests to atone for the sins of the people.

And long after the ashes on our foreheads were gone, may our hearts always remember the sacrifice that Jesus had done for the atonement of our sins. Always remember that not the ritual, but the truth of your heart and all the things you do for His glory, can earn you blessings from God.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, protect us in our struggle against evil. Help us to turn our minds and hearts back to you. Lead us into sincere repentance and renew our lives with your grace. May this season of repentance bring us the blessing of Your forgiveness and the gift of your light. Amen +

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.