​GOSPEL REFLECTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS: 02/14/24 (Ash Wednesday)

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 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."

Words of the Holy Father:

The Word of God guides us in living the Lenten season properly. When we do something good, at times we are tempted to be appreciated and to seek compensation: human glory. But it is a false compensation because it projects us toward what others think of us. Jesus asks us to do Good for the sake of the Good. He asks us to be aware that we are always under the gaze of the Heavenly Father and to live in relation to him, not in relation to the judgement of others. Living in the presence of the Father is a far more profound joy than worldly glory. Our attitude this Lent must therefore be that of living in secret where the Father sees us, loves us and awaits us. Certainly, even external things are important, but we must always choose and experience them in the presence of God. Let us do so in prayer, in mortification, and in the fraternal charity that we are humbly able to give before God. We will thus be worthy of the compensation of God the Father. (Message ‘Keeplent’, 10 February 2016)

Source:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day/2024/02/14.html

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. +

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/

Website on how to raise and guard children in their Catholic faith:

https://howtokeepyourkidscatholic.com/

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