Deeper with God & Wider in Life

WEEK 1— Spiritual Practices

INTRODUCTION:   Ash Wednesday begins with an invitation from Jesus to be intentional about our spiritual practices.  Spiritual practices are the arena in which we grow deeper in our love relationship with God and wider in our love relationship with those around us.  Lent asks us to stretch ourselves deeper and wider through giving to others, being in conversation with God, and letting go of the life clutter that keeps us from remembering who we are as God’s beloved children.


This week spend time in prayerful reflection thinking about how you intend to grow deeper and wider this Lent.  Be open and curious about this.  Our Lent spiritual practices are about “I get to and I want to” not about “I have to and I must.”  Love is at the heart of our deeper and wider.

And remember:  Jesus is very clear that our practices of giving, praying, and fasting are a secret with our Father.  There’s no bragging or showing off when it comes to spiritual practices.

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE

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 Father in heaven.

“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.  But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“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.  But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“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.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “

INVITATIONS

  • Reflect on this week’s scripture. 
    Are there any
    words or ideas
    that especially resonate with you
    or challenge you?


  • An “intention” helps us keep our focus when we want to explore or cultivate something new or different in our lives.  Your intention is the gift you would like to receive from God.  What gift would you like to receive this Lent? 


Reflecting on your intention for Lent will be very helpful in choosing your spiritual practices.  Your practices are the ways you “unwrap” God’s gift to you.


  • You want your practices to be realistic for you and your life.

  • You want your practices to be worth keeping.  If you don’t want to actually do what you are doing, it will be very hard to stick with it.


What will you
do this Lent?

  • For prayer, growing your relationship with God?

  • For giving, growing your relationship with others?

  • For fasting, growing your relationship with yourself?

Prayer

Lord, grant that I may see you more clearly,

Love you more dearly, Follow you more nearly.

Amen.