lectionary.com

Lent

Ash Wednesday

February 18, 2026

Saint Thomas of Villanueva Giving Alms, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
Saint Thomas of Villanueva Giving Alms, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, c. 1668Museo de Bellas Artes, Seville
Murillo's own favourite among his paintings: a bishop handing coins to beggars at a church door, with a child counting what he has been given.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.Bartolomé Esteban MurilloSeville's leading painter (1617-1682), known for a warm, soft handling that made his religious pictures the most copied in Spain for two centuries.Museo de Bellas Artes, SevilleSpain's second finest picture gallery after the Prado, in a former convent, built on art taken from suppressed monasteries.Museo de Bellas Artes, Seville
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 6:(1-6) 16-21Mt 6:(1-6) 16-21
Epistle2 Pet. 1:2-112 Pt 1:2-11
Old TestamentJoel 2:12-19Jl 2:12-19Alt. OTJonah 3:1-10Jon 3:1-10
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

The appointed Ash Wednesday gospel read verse by verse, weighing whether the text critiques piety on display or the Lenten disciplines themselves.

Matthew 6 - Enduring Word Bible CommentaryMt 6 - Enduring Word Bible Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik walks the whole chapter, treating almsgiving, prayer, and fasting as acts done for God rather than for an audience.

Matthew 6 ResourcesMt 6 Resources Precept Austin

A deep collection of verse-level notes, word studies, and cross references for the Sermon on the Mount teaching on hidden devotion.

Matthew 6:1 CommentariesMt 6:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators (Barnes, Ellicott, Meyer, and others) gathered on the opening warning against practicing righteousness to be seen.

Background & Word Study

Book of Matthew Overview, Chapters 1-13Book of Mt Overview, Chapters 1-13 BibleProject

Animated overview that maps the Sermon on the Mount within Matthew's larger design.

Matthew 6:1 InterlinearMt 6:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing so the reader can test the key words for righteousness, reward, and treasure.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 6 commentary from the Church FathersMt 6 commentary from the Church Fathers Catena

Patristic voices verse by verse on secret giving, the Lord's Prayer, and treasure in heaven.

Sermons & Reflections

The Secret Life of Christians Journey with Jesus

An Ash Wednesday essay on doing acts of devotion in secret where God alone sees the heart.

March 6, Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)March 6, Ash Wednesday (Mt 6:1-6, 16-21) The Christian Century

A lectionary reflection on the tension between receiving ashes and Jesus warning against public piety.

Art & Music

Ash Wednesday, Year A (lectionary readings and art) Vanderbilt

The Ash Wednesday readings linked to art in the Christian tradition and worship-ready images.

Study Hub

Matthew 6:1-21 (lectionary resource index)Mt 6:1-21 (lectionary resource index) Textweek

A curated hub of commentaries, hymns, sermons, and study helps for the Ash Wednesday gospel.

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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