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Lenten Season · Ash Wednesday · Year A

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting in Secret

February 18, 2026

Old Woman Praying, Matthias Stom
Old Woman Praying, Matthias Stom, late 1630s or early 1640sThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
One shielded candle on a table, a rosary slipping through the fingers, and the whole room dark behind her.When 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.Matthias StomA Dutch follower of Caravaggio who worked in Italy and lit almost everything he painted by a single candle.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe largest art museum in the Americas, on the edge of Central Park, open since 1872.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 6:1-6, 16-18Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Second Reading2 Cor. 5:20-6:22 Cor 5:20-6:2
First ReadingJoel 2:12-18Jl 2:12-18
Responsorial PsalmPs. 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17

Overview & Insights

"But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" (Matthew 6:3).

Jesus instructs his disciples to practice almsgiving, prayer, and fasting without seeking public recognition, so that their Father who sees in secret will reward them. This teaching from the Sermon on the Mount is the traditional gospel that opens Lent.

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Take it further: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Commentary

Working Preacher: Commentary on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21Working Preacher: Commentary on Mt 6:1-6, 16-21 Working Preacher

The Luther Seminary commentary written for this exact Ash Wednesday gospel.

Enduring Word: Matthew 6 CommentaryEnduring Word: Mt 6 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's accessible verse-by-verse walk through the whole chapter.

BibleHub: Matthew 6 CommentariesBibleHub: Mt 6 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates multiple classic commentaries side by side on verse 1.

Precept Austin: Matthew 6 Commentary (Spurgeon)Precept Austin: Mt 6 Commentary (Spurgeon) Precept Austin

Spurgeon's exposition of the whole chapter, curated with cross references.

Episcopal Church: Ash/Dust (Ash Wednesday 2026) Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

Sermons That Work's current-year Ash Wednesday sermon for the Anglican voice.

Background & Word Study

BibleHub Interlinear: Matthew 6BibleHub Interlinear: Mt 6 BibleHub

Shows the underlying Greek for dikaiosyne (righteousness) and hypokrites word by word.

BibleProject: Gospel of Matthew Overview (Part 1)BibleProject: Gospel of Mt Overview (Part 1) BibleProject

Animated overview of Matthew 1-13, which frames the Sermon on the Mount.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Matthew 6Catena: Mt 6 Catena

Patristic comments on almsgiving, prayer, and fasting from Chrysostom and others.

Sermons & Reflections

Christian Century: Ash Wednesday Lectionary Essay The Christian Century

A preaching essay on secrecy and reward in Matthew's Ash Wednesday text.

Worship & Prayers

The Lectionary Page: Ash Wednesday The Lectionary Page

BCP readings and the Ash Wednesday collect in one printable page.

Art & Music

Vanderbilt: Ash Wednesday, Year C Vanderbilt

Curated public-domain artwork paired with each Ash Wednesday reading.

Study Hub

Textweek: Matthew 6:1-21 Study HubTextweek: Mt 6:1-21 Study Hub Textweek

A hub of links to commentary, sermons, and hymn suggestions on this text.

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