WHY DO WE PRAY, MAKE SACRIFICES AND GIVE ALMS? - 02/22/23 (Ash Wednesday)

Matthew 6:1

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.” 

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022223.cfm

Blessed Ash Wednesday! Today is the beginning of the Lenten season. In this season, the Catholic Church is reminding us of the importance of prayers, almsgiving and sacrifices such as fasting and abstinence. Below this reflection, there is a guideline on how we can practice fasting and abstinence for Ash Wednesday and throughout the Lenten season. It's important and good for us to take this season as an opportunity to grow in our practices. At the same time, we should remember that it's not just about doing the actions. God desires for us to know the reasons behind our actions for us to know its importance for us and for Him. In today's gospel reading, Jesus spoke of the Pharisees who were used to praying, fasting and almsgiving. However, our Lord was clear that these actions by the Pharisees were not pleasing to God. Why is this the case? It's because their actions were motivated by pride. They were doing these actions because they wanted to be recognized by the people and be considered as great and holy. Unfortunately, their motivation was directly contrary to the virtue of humility needed for these actions to be pleasing to God. Some people may think that this means it's ok to not pray, make sacrifices and give alms to the poor. However, the point of Jesus is that these actions should be done with the right disposition and intention. 

And, how can this be done? It is by praying, making sacrifices and offering alms out of love for God. Sometimes, when we are so attached or addicted to our phones and TV, we may forget that God dwells within us. He has always been within our hearts, but due to some distractions, we may be unable to listen to His voice in our conscience. By giving up some things, we will have more time to have a deeper conversation with God who is truly worthy of love. Lenten season is also the time for us to have an increased knowledge of ourselves, including our weaknesses. This is represented by the ashes which remind us that we will return to ash. Due to our weaknesses, without the grace of God, we will fall to sin. And, this also shows us the importance of fasting and abstinence. By depriving ourselves of the pleasures that we get from food, in honor of the sacrifice of Christ, we become more disciplined and open to God in such a way that it's easier to reject temptations that show us sinful and worldly pleasures. Receiving God's mercy in prayer and making sacrificing should lead us to glorify God by being merciful with others, as shown in the practice of almsgiving. Through this, we become the instrument of God's love for them. When we also do these things out of love for God, our actions become united with the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and as such, it also becomes the means for the conversion of sinners. The Lenten season may not be easy for us, and if that's the case, it's an opportunity for us to be more humble and dependent on God. May we beg for His strength to be faithful to Him, and even if we stumble or fall, let's trust in His mercy, repent of our sins, and be focused in loving Him again. Let's not harden our hearts because He desires to cleanse it from all of our sins. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Fasting and Abstinence during Lent:

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/56337/fasting-and-abstinence-during-lent

Ash Wednesday:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/ash-wednesday/

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth