Ash Wednesday

“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.” -Mark 8:14-21

Today begins the season of Lent when we are reminded that without God, we are only food for the enemy. Christ calls us to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as a path to a deeper relationship with the Father. To be in a relationship with God is to live in safety. To neglect that relationship is to risk being devoured by the enemy.

“Then the LORD God said to the snake: Because you have done this, cursed are you among all the animals, tame or wild; On your belly you shall crawl, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.” -Genesis 3:14

“By the sweat of your brow, you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” -Genesis 3:19

Saint Valentine, pray for us.

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Jesus, I trust in you!