.

TODAY’S WORD…

.

Jesus said,

“Watch out!

Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others,

for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.

But when you give to someone in need,

don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

Give your gifts in private,

and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

.

When you pray,

don’t be like the hypocrites

who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. […]

But when you pray, go away by yourself,

shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.

Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

.

And when you fast,

don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do,

for they try to look miserable and dishevelled so people will admire them for their fasting. […]

But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.

Then no one will notice that you are fasting,

except your Father, who knows what you do in private.

And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

.

– Matthew 6:1-6;16-18 (NLT)

.

.

.

REFLECTION…

.

Jesus here is emphasising our duty

to give to the needy,

to pray

and to fast,

and He also teaches us

how a true Christian should go about giving, praying and fasting.

.

.

.

SPECIAL THOUGHT FOR THE BEGINNING OF LENT…

.

Lent is about…

• .

• recommitting to prayer.

• .

• fasting and sacrifice.

• helping those who are in need.

• .

• .

This Lent…

• .

• let us spend more quiet time with the Lord,

speaking to Him, by all means,

but also being silent…and listening to Him.

• .

• We must not just cut down on food or drink,

but also from over-use of our mobile phone, Facebook, internet,

TV, video games, and so on.

• .

• We should also look seriously at donating to good causes

a percentage equivalent (say, 10%) of what we spend on ourselves.

• .

• .

This Lent we must…

• .

• make more room for God;

• .

• practice the all-important virtue self-control;

• .

• create more time and resources

to help those who are in need of love and care,

thereby practicing the wonderful virtue of self-giving love – of true charity.

• .

• .

This Lent, let us draw closer to God!

.

.

.

REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

.

Jesus, my Lord,

during these forty days of Lent,

as I accompany You in Your walk in the desert,

teach me

how to fast and pray with You;

how to express my love for others;

and strengthen me against all temptation. Amen.

..

.