I love Fridays during Lent. Not necessarily because I love fish (as Catholics avoid eating meat on Fridays during Lent), but because I am reminded each Friday that we are in a time of preparation. During the rest of the year Sundays are a day of reflection; but during Lent, Fridays are too.

On the first Friday of Lent I am usually still thinking about the Ash Wednesday readings: some of my favorite of the liturgical year. From the Gospel of Matthew:

“But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6: 3-4

Not many of us speak of or use alms, but I love what the idea of alms and this reading represent: Do what you do for your service to God and others. Not to be thanked; not for others to know what you are doing; not for any other acknowledgement or reward than to know you are doing God’s good works and will.

That is the true meaning of Lent. That is what we should be doing when instead most of us have given something up. Perhaps we should give up seeking praise and appreciation instead of dessert (which is what I give up every year, including this one).

Happy Lent! Happy Friday!