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“But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing…
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face…” Matthew 6:3; 6; 17

One Church Father explains that almsgiving, prayer and fasting are three acts that help us to combat the three temptations that Jesus overcame in the desert. First, our Lord overcame gluttony when the evil one tempted Him to turn stones into bread to satiate His hunger after fasting for 40 days. Second, our Lord overcame vainglory when the evil one took Him to the parapet of the temple and tempted Him to throw Himself down so that the angels of God would save Him, proving His divinity. Third, our Lord overcame greed when the evil one took Him up a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, promising to give them to Jesus if He worshiped him.

Today’s Gospel identifies the three ways that we are able to overcome these same temptations of gluttony, vainglory and greed. Almsgiving, or generosity, is the cure for greed. Prayer within the “inner room” of your soul is the cure for vainglory. Fasting is the cure for gluttony.

As Lent begins, we are also invited into the desert for 40 days. We are invited to face the many temptations we endure in life so as to overcome them by the power of God. If you struggle with one of these above-mentioned temptations, all of them, or some similar temptation, the cure is found when the temptation is identified and the contrary virtue is embraced.

Do you struggle with greed? If so, consider being generous this Lent. God has promised to provide for your needs. He has not promised earthly wealth, but He has promised to care for you. There is great freedom found in believing that promise. One way to more fully trust in God’s providence is to generously give of your money to those in need. Don’t hesitate to do so if this is your struggle.

Do you struggle with a desire for vainglory and have an inordinate desire to prove your worth to others? If so, turn to prayer. It is in personal prayer, within that “inner room” of your heart, where God will meet you and reveal to you your true value and worth. As you discover your dignity in prayer, you will find you have no need to prove that dignity and value to others through prideful means.

Do you struggle with gluttony and seek to satiate your longings by the excessive consumption of food and drink? If so, the cure will be found in fasting. Denying your disordered appetites has great spiritual value. Fasting intermingled with prayer opens your soul to seek satisfaction only in God, and not in the flesh. 

Reflect, today, upon that which needs to be your primary focus this Lent. What is it that keeps you from God? What temptations do you struggle with the most? Perhaps greed, vainglory or gluttony is among your struggles. If so, then do not hesitate to commit yourself to the cures this Lent. The end result will be that “your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” 

My freeing Lord, help me to see my greatest sins this Lent and to begin the process of overcoming them. Please reveal to me the virtues I need to embrace so as to be freed of these burdens and to grow more firmly in my love of You and others. Jesus, I trust in You.

Image: Guido Cagnacci - Collezione privata, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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