02/25/2004: "Thoughts on today's Gospel reading"

I think it is very important to remember the aspect of our Lenten journey that Christ highlights in today's Gospel. We give alms, pray and fast, not for others, but for our relationship with God.

So do not boast when you give to the poor this Lent.
Do not complain how hungry you are when you fast.
Do not say "Boy a good hamburger sounds good right about now!" when abstaining on Fridays.

All of these kind of things are not about growing in your faith, but about sharing with the world how great your faith is. An important message as we enter Lent, a time of Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting.

May God grant us all a wonderful Lenten season to grown in our faith in Him.