Week of Ash Wednesday

Matthew emphasizes that the essential Christian practices of giving alms, praying and fasting should be done in a sacred environment between the giver and God. These practices should not be done in a way to draw public attention to the giver. This may be hard to do in the society in which we live. Society seems to expect that deeds good or bad be paraded in the various media.

The apparent purpose is see me, see what I do. This may be why it is so difficult for our society to consistently share or care for those less fortunate. We respond well to large tragic events, like the earthquake's devastation in Haiti, at least for a while. We seem to pay little attention to the day-to-day misery around us, like the plight of the poor and of illegal immigrants.

As we get to Matthew 6:19-20, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven," we have staring at us right now a financial depression caused by greed which makes mockery of this passage. The greed of bankers, lenders, and Wall Streeters thinking only of their own profit sacrificed, in the process, the earnings, savings, jobs, and homes of millions of people. The greedy were storing up treasures but not in heaven.

However, I am consoled by knowing that there are many around us who do adhere to the words of Matthew and are quietly giving, praying and building up treasures in heaven. They are functioning above the airways and cyberspace in God's space.

Doyt L. Conn MD