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.”
Today is the start of Lent, a season of sacrifice and repentance leading up to Easter. We live in a world that is so focused on what we can get that sometimes that spirit of sacrifice for others gets lost. God calls us to sacrifice for him in the same way Jesus did, prayerfully and without complaint. Remember throughout this lent to quietly and humbly turn our sacrifice toward heaven, and to always keep looking forward to the great sacrifice of Christ that saved us.
CHALLENGE: Do one thing for someone else today without being asked, and without looking for thanks.
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