The First Day of Lent, Ash Wednesday
Posted on March 5, 2025 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 6:16-21 (NKJV)
6:16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Devotion
It is popular in American Christianity for people to have ashes imposed on their foreheads during Ash Wednesday services. Many people who participate in this tradition do so with good intentions.
At this time, it is truly good for us to hear what our Lord has to say in His Sermon on the Mount in the reading for today. He teaches us that personal devotion observances should not be displayed to the public at large. In short, it is far better, according to our Lord, to be fasting secretly than it is to seek attention with the appearance of piety.
There is indeed earthly reward to be had in this life, but it is temporary and easily lost. On the other hand, the spiritual rewards of heaven are eternal. Let us rather seek the treasure of heaven, which God has so richly blessed us with in this life, especially His appointed means of grace in Word and Sacrament, including Absolution, where we receive His forgiveness. There is no greater treasure to be found on earth or in heaven than God’s forgiveness. And as the Church faithfully receives Christ’s gifts and properly confesses His Word, we do not seek attention for ourselves, but rather give all glory to our Lord and Savior!
Collect: Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
