March 9th - Reflection

Ash Wednesday
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (NRSV)
The practice of faith
"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.

"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. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.


"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ...

"And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Reflection
So what's the point is the point here? When we take some action...what's the point of that action? Do we do things just to look good? Do we act like the church lady on Saturday Night Live? Are we trying to impress others? What's the point of your actions and words?

Focus on Jesus in action and words. Jesus doesn't need to know how good you are. Jesus doesn't need you to act as if you are his friend. Jesus wants you to be you and to have an honest and open relationship with him. When we have a relationship with God our relationships with others are directed by the love God has shown us through Jesus.

It's not about you or me at all. Jesus life exemplified the giving up of oneself for a purpose or cause. Jesus gave his very life for that purpose, to die for the sin of the world and rise again to eternal life. Not for himself, but for the world. Likewise we concentrate on the call God has in store for us. We apply our actions towards God and God gives those actions to others. Not in the "church lady" way that does no one any good, but in an honest way that is humble and gracious and loving and from the heart.

Focus on Jesus and his light. Follow him as a disciple and honor God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, forgive me when my focus strays from you to me. Take my life. Clarify your call for me. Help me clearly understand the purpose you have in mind for me and guide me all along the way. --- Amen