And your Father who sees in secret will repay you

The joy I have in my heart for the upcoming Ash Wednesday mass is starting to build. Many of you may already know this because I tell this story every year, but Ash Wednesday is one of my favorite days in the church. I will admit the reason it is one of my favorite days is perhaps a bit skewed in wrong direction, but I think it works.

1) It is the day after Fat Tuesday. The one day of the year where gluttony does not exist (kind of).

2) Dad always used to read the Gospel and give the homily on Ash Wednesday

Now as Lent draws near many people are asking the question of both themselves and others, "What are you going to do for Lent?" This questions has always given me some trouble on several different levels. Allow me to do my best impersonation of the Angelic Doctor. For those unfamiliar with the way he writes, I apologize in advance.

Article 1 Weather we should ask of our brothers and sisters what they are doing for Lent?

Objection 1 If our father who sees in secret repays you, then it would seem that sharing our Lenten sufferings would defeat any merit we may gain by praying, fasting and giving alms.

Objection 2 By sharing our Lenten promises to Christ with one another we are simply acting as the hypocrites do.

On the contrary, Although we are not of this world, our church calls us to live in and be apart of the world.

I answer that, No man is an Island. Christ told us it is not good for man to be alone. Every man is called to live in a community of some kind where he can share our not only his gifts but his burdens as well. Iron sharpens Iron and by telling your fellow man you are seeking to draw closer to God. You are recognizing Christ in your brother and are calling on Christ in your brothers heart to help guide you through the support of your brother. You are not calling out like the hypocrites to anyone who is close enough to hear, you are calling out to Christ.

Reply to Objection 1 By sharing our Lenten promises with our community we not only act in such a way that is pleasing to God, but we also call and include others in that action also which does not defeat our merit but rather it adds to the greater glory of God.

Reply to Objection 2 By telling your brother or sister your Lenten promises you are not blowing a trumpet or praying on the streets and you are certainly not neglect their appearance. The difference is simply intention. The hypocrites make their actions known in order to gain favor and piety from the common man. We are not called to seek favor and piety from man, but rather love and justice from Christ.


I know this is not as tight of an argument as the Angelic Doctor would make, but it was a fun exercise. I could also borrow from another Thomas and point out that there is nothing we can do to gain merit, it is only by God's grace that we receive it, but that our desire alone to please God pleases him.

Keep up the fight