Matthew 6, 1-6.16-18

Jerusalem Bible: 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 secret place, 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.

Comment: Come Holy Spirit I implore you please help us to prepare ourselves spiritually in this time of Lent. Today marked with ashes in the beginning of Lent, in the next forty days we are committed to the Lord and we are preparing our hearts for the Lord to help us to our conversion and believe in the gospel. Some of my older habits is watching television and last forty days without seeing it really helps me to understand the secrets of God and intimate with him. I invite you brother to pray together during these next 40 days in communion with the Father,  the Son and the Holy Spirit with the intercession of our dear mother Mary.