How can I, on this Ash Wednesday—when Jesus reminds me that my Father who sees in secret will reward me—live out the spirit of generous care and self-sacrifice urged by Laudato si’, remain honest and responsible in my contributions as the Synod teaches (even respecting secret when needed), watch over the barn cats at The Glenn who quietly go about their hidden lives, and still openly share that I’m praying for a miracle for Daniel through the intercession of the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, without betraying the sacred secret of my own heart’s devotion❓
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.“When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.“When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Lent Day 1 Lectio Divina on the word “secret“
The secret of my heart is often where my truest thoughts and prayers reside. I can speak of them aloud, but only God fully understands the depth of what I carry within. The Gospel reminds me that my Father, who sees in secret, knows my intentions even when others do not.
I find myself relating to Secrets by OneRepublic because, like the song expresses a desire for honesty and authenticity, the Gospel reminds me that God sees beyond what is publicly displayed and values what is done in secret. Just as I strive to keep my prayers for Daniel sincere and not for show, I am reminded that true faith is lived not for recognition, but in secret.
There is a secret beauty in the natural world, a quiet rhythm of life that often goes unnoticed. At The Glenn, the barn cats move in secret, slipping through the fields and shadows, living their own hidden existence. I wonder how much of life’s goodness is found not in what is displayed, but in what is nurtured quietly, away from the world’s gaze.
The Synod calls me to be thoughtful with my words, to honor the trust given to me, and to respect what is shared in secret. Not everything needs to be broadcast; wisdom often lies in discerning when to speak and when to listen. A secret kept in love is not deception, but a form of reverence.
the responsibility of: offering their input honestly, sincerely, with an informed conscience
and acting in good conscience, respecting the confidentiality of the information received,
offering clearly formulated thoughts that identify their main points”
Yet, while some things should remain hidden, I do not keep my prayers for Daniel a secret. I share them freely, inviting others to join me in asking for a miracle through the intercession of the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen. Even so, I know that the most powerful prayers are often the ones whispered in secret.
I connect with The Secret Life of Walter Mitty because, like Walter’s journey of self-discovery hidden beneath his ordinary life, the Gospel reminds me that true transformation happens in secret. Just as Walter steps out in faith to embrace adventure, I am called to trust that the quiet sacrifices and prayers I offer—especially for Daniel—are seen and valued by God in secret.
And so, I begin my Lenten journey, embracing what is unseen, trusting that God works most profoundly in ways I may never fully grasp. For He is the one who rewards…
“‘…in secret.‘”
This conversion calls for a number of attitudes which together foster a spirit of generous care, full of tenderness. First, it entails gratitude and gratuitousness, a recognition that the world is God’s loving gift, and that we are called quietly to imitate his generosity in self-sacrifice and good works: “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing… and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Mt 6:3-4).
FROM PARAGRAPH 220 OF THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME