Daily Gospel Reflection for March 2, 2022: Ash Wednesday

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

". . . and your Father who sees in secret will repay you." Matthew 6:18

I remember being so stumped by this Gospel when I was young. I was really conflicted the year I wanted to suffer for Jesus, and I decided to eat only tuna, lettuce, and oranges. The Gospel said we should keep it all quiet and not blab about our sacrifices, but I knew I was going to have to share this with my mom so she would be sure to have appropriate amounts of my three foods. When I shared my hesitation about spilling the beans she lovingly set me straight. She told me this Gospel was a lesson in getting personal with Jesus and not worrying about others.

The words to us in Matthew's Ash Wednesday Gospel have become an anthem for humility when Lent rolls around. This reading invites us to sacrifice and suffering but why? Growing in holiness isn’t just about DOING hard stuff, it’s really in the WHY. Humility allows us to look for the goodness of God in those around us, which causes us to look outside ourselves. By keeping our penances just between us and the Father, we can be sure we’re doing things for the right reason: to grow in holiness and join closer to the Cross of Christ. It isn’t a comparison activity because we’re each called to our own crosses. Lent is about our little crosses, lifted up with the help of the Father, not the attention of the world. St. Rose of Lima said, “Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we can get to heaven.” Today’s Gospel reminds us that the “ladders” of this holy season of Lent are a private connection between us and the Father.

Ponder:

Take a look at your proposed Lenten sacrifices and prayerfully ask Jesus how each will help you grow in holiness. What little crosses will you ask Him to help you lift and carry the next forty days, and how will they point you to heaven?

Pray:

Jesus, please allow me to follow You into the dessert of prayer, sacrifice, and loving transformation this Lent. Please remind me daily that we are private travel companions on this dessert journey.