Gospel – Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Reflection by Br. Peter Iorlano, FSC, DENA
I began writing this reflection on 1 January 2021, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the seventh day in the octave of Christmas. Looking ahead to Ash Wednesday my thoughts are still with the richness of the mystery of the Incarnation; I am mindful of God’s lavish love and life-giving grace. Moreover, the metanoia to which we are called is to let the very life, light, and love of Jesus grow in us. In my experience, the vulnerability, humility, and selflessness required to be receptive to the life, light, and love on offer by God is challenging to sustain; these are not among the dominant virtues promoted in many of our cultures. It is precisely because allowing ourselves to be conformed to the life of Jesus for the world can be so daunting that the Church gives us the Lenten season beginning with Ash Wednesday.
“…[N]ow is a very acceptable time…”; “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. The Scripture readings’ urgency for each of us to act now, to return to the Lord today with our whole heart seems to presuppose that we have turned away from God and God’s ways. The readings are an invitation to review, assess, evaluate if and how we may have turned away from the God who is always trying to draw us in with forgiveness, mercy, kindness and compassion. The need to return to and embrace the Lord is essential: as Lasallians, “We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us.” We are ambassadors in the name of Christ for the world of people to whom God leads us: our students, colleagues, and each other in community.
The Ash Wednesday Gospel from Matthew provides us three concrete examples of how to and how not to “perform righteous deeds”: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. These righteous deeds of generosity, attention and taming our appetites are not meant to be on display for others; rather, they are proposed to set aright our relationships – to edge us ever more closely to loving God with our whole being and our neighbor as ourselves. Let us joyfully accept this Lenten season as a vaccine booster shot that the Church gives us to strengthen our immunity against those death-dealing influences that keep us from letting the life and love of Jesus grow in us. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit during this Lenten season to receive resurrection power drawing us out of the darkness and graves in which we might be dwelling.
I have been at Bethlehem University (BU)since August of 2004. I came to Bethlehem after completing my service at Auxiliary Visitor of LI-NE District. I was asked to consider going to Kenya and India to do formation ministry at this time I was also exploring possibilities at BU. While on an exploratory visit to BU, I happened upon a student smoking a cigarette outside the Brothers’ house on campus. His name was Yousef. After brief introductions, I quickly could see that Yousef was angry about something. As we talked about what was bothering him, I had a sense of God’s presence. getting ready to leave, Yousef said he hoped I took a job at BU because “students needed someone to talk to.” I felt this was an invitation from God and told Yousef this. He lit up and asked, “Do you really think that God would speak to you, a Christian, through me, a Muslim?” Not having known before that Yousef was Muslim, I thought for a moment and said, “Why not? Can’t God do everything?”
I told some of the Brothers at BU of this experience as well as some of the people with whom I met during the days I visited. They encouraged me to come to BU. To make a not so long story shorter, I ended up coming to BU; I am now in the 16th year of a 3-year commitment. During this time, I have taught remedial English (Brooklynese), Developmental Psychology, and have been responsible for campus ministry activities and Lasallian formation. This academic year I was appointed to head the Human Resources and Administrative Affairs Office.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do you find that society encourages you to develop the virtues of vulnerability, humility, and selflessness?
- When, how, and through whom have I experienced God’s forgiveness, mercy, kindness, and compassion? How have I responded? What difference has it made?
- What relationships of mine need to be set aright? At this time, which of these proposed righteous deeds might open me to God’s transforming grace? From what grave might I need to be freed?
Thank you Br. Peter Iorlano.
Your words are inspiring! I am always encouraged to reflect and evaluate my faith formation. Lent is such a special time for me. These next forty days give me the opportunity to let go of negative ways to spring forth new growth, new life with Jesus!
My personal mission includes my journey to foster the educational process our founder St. John Baptiste de La Salle. We are charged to enlighten our students to be the best they can be holding the love of God in their hearts. For their new found ways and spiritual growth will shine forth in the works they choose.
I look forward to continuing this amazing journey.
Sincerely,
Fran Lengua
School Library Media Specialist
La Salle Institute
Troy, New York
Thank you, Brother Peter, for giving me something to ponder on this Ash Wednesday ! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Bob Elias
Legacy Lasallian, DENA
Thanks Brother The vulnerability issue is key in your reflection. We need to experience that we not only commit sins but also that we live in the constant weakness of the human condition.The false self rebels against this recognition . We need the Spirit to open us to the powerful grace of Jesus. Thus the need for prayer,almsgiving,and fasting. Fr. Bob George Central Catholic. Pittsburgh
Dear Brother Peter, Thank you for this reflection. I could hear your voice as I read it and that made it richer for me. I was particularly struck by Yousef’s “invitation.” Invitations have often led me to a much deeper faith. I am going to try to be open to that idea. Praying for you and your work, Marianne, LSU, Philadelphia
Great story and reflection, Peter. Thanks.
Peter, Your reflection is food for my Lenten journey. Thank you allowing God to shed some life, light and love through you for this pilgrim.
Thank you, Brother Peter, for the hopeful, positive and inclusive approach to Ash Wednesday and to Lent. Previously, Lent held such a negative, self-denying and punitive feeling. Today’s focus on righteous deeds, and setting our relationships aright is an encouragement for me to accomplish a change of heart through giving to others of myself in order to set “ my house” on a righteous path. All blessings to you on this Path. Good to see you, also! Marianne Sheehan
by reaching outward
Dear Peter, thank you for sharing the story of your invitation. Yousef was the angel of God and with trust you said yes. The take away from your reflection is to not harden our hearts when God is inviting us to live more fully, more open-hearted.
PS I laughed out loud when you referred to remedial English in the same sentence as Brooklynese. We miss you in Brooklyn, but it is clear that God still has work for you at BU.
As the mother of a CBA graduate and mother in law of a graduate and grandmother of a present CBA student and one soon to be CBA student….
I have always loved and admired our Christian Brothers!
I am so pleased I found this Lenten Retreat in my e mail! So much in your message on Ash Wednesday! Thank you & may God Bless you !!
Interesting, Brother, I never thought of vulnerability as a virtue. Rather something to “keep” oneself from. Even hide from. Maybe without it, tho, you can’t open yourself to love and sacrifice. I’ll pray to rethink my outlook on becoming vulnerable. Thank you.
Thank you Br. Peter. As a graduate of of a CB school in Brooklyn, the values “instilled” in me have carried throughout my life although adherence to same has been somewhat spotty. Your messages for Advent and now Lent are inspiring. God Bless you. P.S. Brooklynites do not have an accent.
Thank you for taking the time to enrich our lives and to give a “booster shot” to Lent. It is much appreciated. Best wishes to you as you embark on your 16th 3-year commitment at BU. LaSalle University, Class of 1964.
Thanks Peter for your reflection. A good way to start Lent!
Like thr Founder you we led into the work.
Thank you Brother for allowing me to take a moment to stop… reflect… and really be mindful of the touching words you wrote .
You never really know who you impact.
Just a girl from Brooklyn taking a minute away from her busy job
Peace be with you always,
Linda
Dear Peter, thanks for sharing. It’s good to see that you are doing well. Best Wishes!
St. John Baptist de La Salle. Pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts! Forever!
Thank you for your inspiring Ash Wednesday reflection. God does come to us in the most unexpected ways. Thank you for your 3 year commitment to BU. I appreciated the analogy of Lent as a booster shot. It certainly is this year! Peace.
Dear Brother Peter… indeed God can “do anything” and reveals himself to us in our circumstances and uses us to reveal his presence to others (our brothers and sisters in Christ). The quietness of Lent can remind us of this if we let it. The Lord speaks to us in different ways and I still remember the feeling of his special presence when I and Brother Carl had the good fortune to stay at BU with you and the Brothers in early December 2015. God bless the work of the Brothers and others laboring in His vineyard in the Holy Land.