2.17.15

 Lectio: Mt 6.1-6, 16-18   
                                                                    
 Meditatio: "[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them, otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.” Mk 6. 1                            

 Oratio: O God, You want us to do the ascetical practice to help reform our lives but not for show.

 I remember Jesus made this clear in His teachings about almsgiving, prayer and fasting. He told us that if we do it for show, we already have our reward and the Heavenly Father will give no recompense for performing them. But do it in secret and the Father wall take note of it,. Pray this Lent to make the ascetical practices part of your Lenten resolve. Do so without any fanfare so that they will be beneficial to you in reforming your life.

 I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
 and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

 Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what
 God is saying to you.

 Operatio: reflect:"not...perform...deeds...see...no recompense”;the righteous deeds will be for our benefit if done in secret and for our Heavenly Father. Seek the grace to do what is good and right but do them in secret so that only our heavenly Father knows. This will be most pleasing to Him and most beneficial to us.

 Tomorrow's reading:Lk 9.22-25