05 March 2014, Wednesday: Ash Wednesday - Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (Gospel and Homily)

Gospel, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

1 'Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven.

2 So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win human admiration. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.

3 But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing;

4 your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

5 'And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.

6 But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secretplace, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

16 'When you are fasting, do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they go about looking unsightly to let people know they are fasting. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.

17 But when you fast, put scent on your head and wash your face,

18 so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father who sees all that is done in secret; and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

Homily

• Lent 
• solemn, sad
• Latin word meaning to lengthen, i.e. mas humahaba ang liwanag sa dilim
• should be a joyful time of the year
• 'Kahit na ang tao ay naghihirap, hindi mananakaw ang kanyang kagalakan.'

• 3 Pillars of Lent

1. Alms Giving
• In the time of Jesus, it is an obligation.
• Corporal Works of Mercy
• Pagbisita sa may sakit
• Pagbibigay sa mga nagugutom at nauuhaw
• Pagbisita sa mga preso
• 'There are things we have to do in secret.'
• Pope Francis: Ang kawanggawa ay dapat may sigla. Do them with joy, hindi yung napipilitan.
2. Prayers
• 40 Days of Lent - more than 40, Sundays are not counted
• #4 in bible means a very long time
• Treat the season of lent as a retreat.
• Special moment of grace for all of us.
• Araw-araw dapat may iaalay tayo sa buhay panalangin at pananampalataya.
3. Fasting & Abstinence
• Ages 18 - 60: 1 Full Meal a day (Ash Wednesday)
• Ages 14 & Up: Abstinence (No meat)

• Delaying Gratification
• Why do weed it? Discipline.
• Ang mga ordinaryong pribilehiyo ay pinapagsantabi muna.
• Fasting & Abstinence not only in food.

• Sacrifice
• to offer something valuable
• 'Pag hindi ka marunong magsakripisyo, may magbigay pa kaya?'
• Love means absolute sacrifice. Wala kang pwedeng itira.

• Darkness, Silence, Stillness
• 'Minsan dapat tuntunin din natin ang madilim at tahimik para magkaroon tayo ng kapanatagan sa buhay at pananampalataya.'

by Rev. Fr. Ramon N. Eloriaga

Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Joseph - Project 3, Quezon City

05 March 2014, Wednesday, 5:00 PM