Gospel of Matthew 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.”
God Bless You All!
“Realistic” is the element of my Lenten promises each year that I seem to struggle with. I’m grateful for the reminder and also for Crystal Chan’s profound & soulful poem. For anyone reading this blog who lives in Chicago-you can see a replica of this bronze sculpture of “Jesus the Homeless” at 721 N. LaSalle St. in front of the Catholic Charities building where the homeless line up each evening for a hot meal. It was installed last April in honor of Cardinal George’s 50th year as a priest. Besides the sculpture in Rome which is located on the main avenue that leads to the Vatican, “Homeless Jesus” is popping up in major cities across the world –most recently to commemorate Ash Wednesday this year, Cardinal Wuerl blessed this sculpture placed in front of Catholic Charities in Washington D.C.