An Opportunity to Go Within

Mar 4

The Gospel for Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) is one of my favorite scriptural passages, for it teaches us how to be authentic in our Christian living. When giving alms, rather than let the whole world know what we are doing, we are encouraged to keep it between God and us for “the Lord who sees in secret will reward in secret.” I see almsgiving as an expression of deep gratitude for everything the Lord has given to us and our way of expressing this awesome generosity and providence by giving back to those who are in need.

Though we may not have the largesse of others, we recognize our blessings and gifts and share, remembering that St. Francis de Sales tells us “nothing is small in the service of God.” Maybe our almsgiving is giving another person our attention, listening to their story, and making room for their hopes and desires. Maybe we give alms in the space we allow in our lives for those with whom we would rather not share company, but let mercy triumph that we grow together in an appreciation for the shared image and likeness of God that we have in common. It certainly will ease the tension, judgment, and demonization.

St. Matthew localizes our praying in the most intimate of spaces: “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees you in secret, will repay you. The inner room of the heart, is where we speak with the heart of God.” It’s an intimacy where nothing is held back and we allow God to know fully who we are, warts and all, so that in voicing this we can come to know who we are, own it, and see this as where God wants to come into our lives to hold us, sustain us, forgive us, love us, and cherish us.

This Lent may we dedicate a certain time each day, even if it is five minutes (alone in the car, when our head hits the pillow, in a special chair or space in our room or house, while walking to class) to talk with our God, cor ad cor, heart to heart, to listen to God’s assurance of presence, protection, and promise. Maybe there are no words, just the power of silence, which many say is God’s first language. Here, we contemplate His being within us, fully comfortable, wholly accepting, and infinitely loving. Maybe we have time to pray for another this Lent. Petitionary prayer is so awesome for it unites us to others, keeps us other-centered, and grounds us in the Creator of all who listens. This Lent, go into that inner room you are afraid to enter and trust implicitly in what God has to offer.

And Jesus tells us that when we 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.” This Lent may our fasting help us to feel the plight of others. May we feel something that has us calling upon God in our small sacrifice to help us grow in sensitivity to what others lack, whether it be food, shelter, a sense of belonging, or acceptance. May we fast from judging, critiquing, labeling with a sense of omniscience, and humbly stay open to learning from and loving for another. May the Lord “repay” us by showing us ways to make the world more gentle and kind. May we be a part of that effort. May we fast from our wants and needs, and seek after those who are hurting, poor, crying out, alone, isolated, and unloved. In them, we will find the Christ who wants to meet us this Lent.

May this Lent be the Best Lent Ever!