Trumpets And Dust

From the pages of the Lenten Magnificat...

Ash Wednesday:

"Brothers" said Bernanrd of Clairvaux to his quarreling monks, "there are more enjoyable ways of going to hell." That's a good reminder for us all, especially during Lent. We're not to blow trumpets before us as we pray, says Jesus. We're not to pull long faces to let everyone know of the anguish of our fasting. We're not to set ourselves on stage, play acting at holiness to win the approval of men. If we do, we will have our "reward" already, dust that it is: empty praise, empty self-esteem, and empty bellies. Debauchery and gluttony would at least be more lively. But there's one audience we find it almost impossible not to play for. When we give alms, Jesus warns us, we're not to let our left hand know what our right hand is doing. Now Jesus knew well that most of us give alms only to let that left hand know, and every other member besides. But it will do us no good to be modest before others if we are shameless before ourselves. Let us then retreat into the closet of our hearts. In such a place, filled with sinful longings and resentments and selfishness, we should find it hard to be vain. In that dusty place, we may find more than vanity. We may find God's forgiveness.

Reflection based on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Anthony Esolen

Father let not my piety be my snare. Let my sin be ever before my eyes, that I may rely wholly on your goodness, and never my own: through Christ our Lord, amen.

Today's suggested penance: Spend fifteen minutes or more praying the holy name of Jesus.