When, Not If
Ash Wednesday
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18- 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.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“When you give alms…When you pray…When you fast…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Lord says to his listeners, “When you give alms…pray…fast….” He says when we do these things, not if we do these things. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We all should be doing these things. These three activities help us to become less “attached” to things, even good things (like food or our material possessions) and more attentive to God. The goal is that we rid ourselves of unnecessary or harmful things and fill ourselves with what is necessary and good—with God.
When picking out a Lenten resolution, it is wise to choose one particularly suited to us individually. If there is a sin or attachment keeping us from God, we should spend Lent ridding our life of it. (If we watch TV too much but don’t struggle with eating too much candy, it won’t do much good to give up candy. Give up TV instead.) Think also in terms of doing something extra, for example: filling our TV time with prayer, spiritual reading, or a project of kindness. Lent isn’t just a time where we try to get better; Lent is actually a time where we try to be more united with Christ…in part by beginning to suffer a bit with Him so as to be more prepared to rise with Him at the Resurrection. What would best help us to do that? That should be our Lenten resolution.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
Like Pier? Share it with others (via links below) / Subscribe to it (below) / Support (the mission)
