Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 6"Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Verse 2"So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. Verse 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, Verse 4so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Verse 5"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. Verse 6But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Verse 16"And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. Verse 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, Verse 18so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Verse 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; Verse 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. Verse 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Devotion
Some have concerns that the imposition of ashes on your forehead goes against Jesus' words in Matthew 6:16. Concern is warranted if your purpose is to "show others."
For me, I need to hear those words, "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return" and be marked with ashes. I am reminded that I am mortal, broken, finite.
And at the same time, when I receive those ashes and I feel the sign of the cross made on my forehead, I am reminded of my baptism. I am reminded of the water and oil used to mark my forehead with the sign of the cross of Christ while the words of God’s promise were spoken " ... Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever." It is a reminder to me that I am forgiven, redeemed, given new and eternal life through Christ alone. The ashes mixed with the oil remind me that I am both sinner and saint.
Prayer
Gracious God, may the power of the cross of Christ that marks my forehead today remind me of my inheritance in your kingdom. Amen.