lectionary.com

Lenten Season · Ash Wednesday · Year B

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Giving to the Needy

February 10, 2027

Almsgiving, Thomas Wyck
Almsgiving, Thomas Wyck, c. 1650-1660Philadelphia Museum of Art
Under a ruined Italian archway a lay brother carries out a bowl of food at a convent door, and the poor eat quietly on the steps with a dog asleep beside them.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.Thomas WyckA Haarlem painter who spent his early years in Rome and kept painting its courtyards and street life after he came home.Philadelphia Museum of ArtThe Philadelphia Museum of Art, one of the largest art museums in the United States.Philadelphia Museum of Art
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+17 (3a)Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17 (3a)

Overview & Insights

“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4)

Jesus expects his disciples to practice a covenantal piety that centers on a longing for God’s kingdom to arrive and strives to please God, not humans.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

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

Commentary

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

Luther Seminary commentary on Jesus' teaching to give, pray, and fast in secret before the Father.

Matthew 6 CommentaryMt 6 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik on almsgiving, prayer, and fasting done for God rather than for the applause of others.

Matthew 6:1 CommentariesMt 6:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic and modern commentators (Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, and more) gathered on Matthew 6:1.

Matthew CommentariesMt Commentaries Precept Austin

Verse-by-verse study library with word studies and cross-references on the Gospel of Matthew.

The Meaning of the Ashes on Ash Wednesday in the Bible Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre traces the biblical roots of ashes, fasting, and repentance behind the Ash Wednesday readings (Catholic).

Ash Wednesday Word on Fire · Bishop Barron

Word on Fire's Ash Wednesday hub of reflections and resources for the start of Lent (Catholic).

Background & Word Study

Book of Matthew OverviewBook of Mt Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Matthew's Gospel and its portrait of Jesus the teaching Messiah.

Matthew 6:1 InterlinearMt 6:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word-by-word text of Matthew 6:1 with parsing and Strong's numbers.

The Church Fathers

Church Fathers on Matthew 6 (Catena)Church Fathers on Mt 6 (Catena) Catena

Verse-linked catena of the Church Fathers commenting on Matthew 6.

Podcast

Sermon Brainwave: Ash Wednesday Working Preacher

Working Preacher's lectionary podcast discussing the Ash Wednesday texts.

Art & Music

Ash Wednesday, Year B Vanderbilt

Curated fine-art images for Ash Wednesday, free for worship use with attribution.

Study Hub

Ash Wednesday (The Text This Week) Textweek

Ecumenical hub of commentaries, art, and sermon links gathered for Ash Wednesday.

Questions preachers ask

Why is Matthew 6 the Ash Wednesday Gospel?

Jesus teaches that giving, prayer, and fasting be done in secret before the Father, and that treasure be laid up in heaven, setting the tone for Lent.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.