Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel ….6 March 2019 Ash Wednesday
What are your intentions for Lent ?! Lets think of Jesus’ everlasting words :"your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6, 18
Politically correct speech ?? What I think, what I say and mostly what I do ?? How much are my thoughts, words and deeds in harmony !! A bad old habit of mine is a cynical remark , that often oversteps the mark of cracking a joke !! Caustic remarks at the expense on somebody ’s account , solely that we can have a laugh !? It is good to crack a good joke , but lets also think about the fact that our heavenly Father can also see what no-one else is able to do , He can see into our hearts !!
The time has come to cleanse my thoughts , my vocabulary , but even my uncontrollable movement should also be zeroed !! Yes the time is here , to give up those thoughts, words , deeds with which I would not like to appear in front of neither God nor my fellowman !! Our lenten objective should be akin to an inner spring-clean to align my thoughts, words and actions so that I am not a hypocrite in eyes of my Creator and fellowman .
With love,
Father Csaba
translated by dr k.e.
The Word of God
‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever 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.
'And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
