Sunday, March 3, 2019

Ash Wednesday year C



Rev. Emily E. Ewing queeries the Gospel reading.

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Jesus said:
“Beware of practicing your piety before others
in order to be seen by them;
for then you have no reward from your Loving Creator in heaven.
2“So whenever you give alms,
do not sound a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets,
so that they may be praised by others.
Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
3But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4so that your alms may be done in secret;
and your Loving Creator who sees in secret will reward you.

5“And whenever you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites;
for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues
and at the street corners,
so that they may be seen by others.
Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
6But whenever you pray,
go into your room and shut the door
and pray to your Loving Creator who is in secret;
and your Loving Creator who sees in secret will reward you.

16“And whenever you fast,
do not look dismal,
like the hypocrites,
for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting.
Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
17But when you fast,
put oil on your head and wash your face,
18so that your fasting may be seen not by others
but by your Loving Creator who is in secret;
and your Loving Creator who sees in secret will reward you.

19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust consume
and where thieves break in and steal;
20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust consumes
and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.


Queeries for the text:
Which verses are missing?
How do you practice piety?
Why does intent matterDoes it?
If my left hand doesn't know what my right is doing, how do I know what to report for taxes?
How do hypocrites pray today?
How is secrecy good?  How is secrecy bad?
When else is fasting harmful?
What does Jesus' promise mean for us?
What consumes earth these days?  What does resistance look like?

What are your queeries?



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