“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6,16-21 NIV11)
Today is Ash Wednesday, and for the following days, I am going to share some reflections following the Anglican liturgical tradition of Bible readings.
I would like to prepare our hearts, souls, minds, and bodies as we celebrate Easter this year. If you like to fast or set a time for the Lord each day, I would like to encourage you to join me in this journey from this Ash Wednesday till Easter.
The Dictionary of the Christian Faith points out that the appointment of Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent occurred sometime in the seventh century, and the custom of imposing the ashes upon the congregation probably started sometime in the eighth century. The significance of this rite is based on the OT, where we often find the imposition of ashes as a sign of penitence and mourning1
If I have to summarise the passage from Mathew’s Gospel (Matt. 6:16-21), it would be “Be honest before the Lord, that is our greatest treasure”.
Read and pray, Matt. 6:16- 21, and ask the Holy Spirit to use the Word of the Lord to speak to you.
- Peter S. Dawes, NIDCC, s.v. “ASH WEDNESDAY,” paragraph 1220. ↩︎
D.L. 
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