That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
He is truly risen! Alleluia!
When you give alms
When you pray
When you fast
We hear Jesus instructing His followers on how to do righteous deeds properly. He starts each statement with both an imperative command and an expectation, “When you.” Jesus never speaks of if or perhaps or maybe. He is quite clear that we, as His followers, will give, pray, and fast.
Of course, Jesus is speaking of the how, or the approach to doing these things. We are commanded to do these things because they are right in and of themselves. They are way God wants us to live.
Each of these things is sacrificial, and that important concept will be our concentration this Lent.
Some sacrifices are easy to recognize, like fasting. We give up something, a food or a treat or perhaps something that’s not too good for us. Similarly with giving alms or as we like to call it today, charity. We sacrifice some money, or even some time to do good and help. But then there is prayer. That’s sacrificial too, because it seeks our time and concentration on building our relationship with God.
Sacrifice is also covenantal, and we will explore that this Lent. In our sacrifices we enhance the pre-existing relationship we have with God. We acknowledge our agreement with God’s plan and rule, find joy in that, and reinforce our acceptance of it.
As we set for to greater sacrifice this Lent, and as we strengthen our faith by testing and proving our commitment to God let us focus on Jesus’ instruction of the how and know that God sees and rewards what we do with humility.
