Alms Prayer and Fasting

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today are for Ash Wednesday the beginning of the “joyful season of Lent”. This description tries to present the understanding that the rediscovery of the invitation to live an intimate relationship with the Divine is the theme of the liturgical season of Lent. The first signs of spring may be visible for some and the rhythm of human existence prepares for new growth and relief from winter. The passage from Joel calls for the trumpeters to announce the desire of the Lord God to be restored to deeper intimacy with humanity. Psalm 51, the most elegant plea for forgiveness in the Bible, is the response of humanity to the invitation to intimacy with the Divine. The truth of the words of the psalmist resonate in our hearts. The joy of the anticipation of a renewed relationship is understood in this prayer. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to see that now is the time to accept the grace of the restoration of the intimate relationship with the Divine through the Life of Jesus and the prompting of the indwelling Spirit. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus clarifies the traditional repentance practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The public presentation of these practices is false piety. The personal relationship with the Divine puts these practices as means to act with humility and justice as we listen in prayer to the One who invites us to the relationship.