February 17
ash wednesday
Giving to the Needy
6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
The Lord’s Prayer
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Fasting
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The gospel according to Matthew
Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
- What does Jesus teach us in these verses about our Father in heaven? List as many things as you can find.
- Of the teachings you listed above, which one are you most grateful for? Why?
- Share what you are grateful for with someone. If you are comfortable, form your response into a prayer of praise and thanksgiving, praying out loud.
visio divina
Ash Wednesday by Carl Spitzweg, circa 1855-60, oil on canvas, 8.25”x 5.5” / Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
What are you most drawn to in this image?
How are your emotions stirred by it?
Ask the Lord to increase your holy desires.
German artist Carl Spitzweg invites us into the Lenten season with a spirit of introspective piety in “Ash Wednesday.” We meet a downcast carnival clown, seated in the corner of a cell, his head bent, arms crossed, and face shadowed. A clown normally represents revelry, satire, excess, exuberance, letting go of convention, and laughing at life.
Can you relate in any way to the clown’s pursuit of pleasure, disregard for rules or norms, or ridicule at the expense of others?
Stop and reflect for a few moments like the clown in Spitzweg’s painting. Imagine yourself in a similar somber cell for Lent. In this introspective season, the Church invites us to be led by the Holy Spirit and dwell in simplicity.
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” –Matthew 6:6
Notice the light shining into the clown’s cell. How does that alter the somber mood? The light of Christ offers hope amidst our conviction and repentance.
How is the Lord nudging you to make space for Him this Lent? Unlike this clown, we can enter into solitude without fearing isolation. The Lord is waiting patiently for us to come into His presence.
Write down how you desire to meet Him this Lenten season.
Settling and Noticing (eyes open) – 2 minutes
- Take a few deep breaths. Settle into this present moment. Open your heart to God.
- Explore all of the details, colors, movements, and shapes in the image. Then focus more intently on a single aspect of the larger image.
Savoring and Pondering (eyes closed) – 1 minute
- Staying with the part of the image you are drawn to, close your eyes, and recreate or visualize that aspect of the image in your mind’s eye.
- While your eyes are still closed, notice any images, feelings, thoughts or memories from your life that might arise in association with this image
Conclusion (eyes opened or closed) – 2 minutes
- How does the image and your response to it meet you at this particular moment of your life?
- Have a little conversation with God about whatever has arisen in your heart during this exercise. You might find it helpful to write down what happened as you prayed with this image.
Musical Devotion
Worship
King of Kings (Hillsong Worship)
Classical
Cantata: "Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes," BWV 40 (Bach)
Symphony No. 2 in C Minor "Resurrection": V. Finale. Im Tempo des Scherzos by Gustav Mahler
