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Lent · Ash Wednesday · Year C

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Giving to the Needy

March 1, 2028

The Pharisee and the Publican, James Tissot
The Pharisee and the Publican, James Tissot, 1886–1894Brooklyn Museum, New York
In the temple a Pharisee in a white prayer shawl stands praying in full view, while behind a pillar the tax collector bows his head alone.And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others.James TissotA French society painter who turned to religion and travelled to Palestine to paint the life of Christ where it happened.Brooklyn Museum, New YorkNew York’s second largest museum, holding a celebrated Egyptian collection and Tissot’s entire Bible series.Brooklyn Museum, New York
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 6:1-6, 16-21Mt 6:1-6, 16-21
Epistle2 Cor. 5:20b-6:102 Cor 5:20b-6:10
Old TestamentJoel 2:12-19Jl 2:12-19
PsalterPs. 51:1-13 (14-19)Ps 51:1-13 (14-19)

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.

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Take it further: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Commentary

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

Luther Seminary's exegetical commentary on the exact Ash Wednesday pericope.

Matthew 6 CommentaryMt 6 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse walk through almsgiving, prayer, and fasting.

Matthew 6 ResourcesMt 6 Resources Precept Austin

A hub of devotional and expository resources keyed to the chapter.

Matthew 6:1 CommentariesMt 6:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries (Barnes, Gill, JFB, Pulpit) on the opening verse.

Ash Wednesday Sermons That Work Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church's archive of ready-to-adapt Ash Wednesday sermons.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 6 InterlinearMt 6 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for the chapter's key words like hypocrites and treasure.

Matthew OverviewMt Overview BibleProject

A video walkthrough of Matthew's structure and themes for framing the reading.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 6 CatenaMt 6 Catena Catena

Patristic comments from Chrysostom, Augustine, and others verse by verse.

Sermons & Reflections

Lectionary column for March 6, Ash Wednesday The Christian Century

A preaching-focused essay wrestling with whether this is really a Lenten text.

Worship & Prayers

Ash Wednesday Propers The Lectionary Page

The day's full set of collect and readings for service planning.

Podcast

Sermon Brainwave: Ash Wednesday Working Preacher

A roundtable discussion of all four Ash Wednesday texts together.

Art & Music

Ash Wednesday Art Index Vanderbilt

Curated public-domain artwork keyed to the day's readings.

Study Hub

Ash Wednesday Textweek

A large index of links to commentary, sermons, and worship helps for the day.

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.

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