Here, you will find a collection of reflections, guide questions, images and slide backgrounds — all crafted to enhance and elevate your celebration of Ash Wednesday.
The Gist of Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
The Gospel reading is a part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where he teaches about the proper motivation for doing religious acts. He warns against doing them for show or to impress others, but rather to please God who sees in secret. He applies this principle to three examples: giving to the needy, praying, and fasting.
Giving. Praying. Fasting
I’m sure you love using social media. Today’s Gospel passage speaks directly to the hearts of our social media-driven generation. We should examine our hearts and ask ourselves why we use social media. Are we doing it to glorify God or ourselves? Are we doing it to serve others or to get attention? Are we doing it to express our faith or to show off our achievements?
Jesus tells us to beware of practicing righteousness for the applause of others. In a world where likes, comments, and shares often define our worth, it’s crucial to remember the genuine essence of our actions. Jesus tells us not to do our religious acts for show or to impress others, but rather to please God who sees in secret. He gives us three examples: giving to the needy, praying, and fasting. He says that if we do these things to be seen by others, we have already received our reward. But if we do them secretly, our Father who sees in secret will reward us.
A Quiet Whisper of Love
When you give to the needy, don’t broadcast it with a grand gesture on social media. Instead, let your generosity be a quiet whisper of love, unseen by the masses but cherished by the One who sees all. In a culture obsessed with external appearances, Jesus calls us to an authenticity that transcends the filters of social media.
Likewise, when you fast or pray, don’t make a spectacle for the world to see. Rather, let your spiritual discipline be a sacred conversation between you and God, untainted by the desire for public approval.
On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes on our foreheads as a sign of repentance, humility, and mortality. By receiving ashes, we express our desire to turn away from sin and follow Christ more closely. We also acknowledge that we are dust, and to dust we shall return, as the priest says when applying the ashes. This reminds us of our mortality and our need for God’s grace. The ashes also point to the hope of resurrection, when God will raise us from the dust and give us eternal life.
Guided By a Humble Heart
Imagine a world where we seek the applause of heaven rather than the fleeting affirmations of our peers. Let’s use our online platforms not as stages for self-promotion but as spaces to spread love, kindness, and grace. As we navigate the digital landscape, may our actions be guided by a humble heart, seeking the approval that truly matters – the approval of our Creator.
Jesus wants us to be authentic and sincere in our relationship with God and others. He wants us to seek his approval, not the world’s. He wants us to be humble, not proud. He wants us to be generous, not greedy. He wants us to be prayerful, not boastful. He wants us to be faithful, not fake.
So let’s challenge ourselves to follow Jesus’ teaching and live for God, not for likes. Let’s use social media as a tool, not as an idol. Let’s be real, not fake.
The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.
St. Basil the Great
Reflective Questions for Spiritual Growth
- How often do your acts of kindness or generosity find their way onto your social media feed? Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:1-4 – are there opportunities to perform acts of kindness quietly, without seeking public recognition, and allowing God to be the audience?
- Take a moment to think about your social media presence. In what ways do you use it to showcase your spiritual practices, like fasting or prayer? Reflect on the idea of cultivating a more intimate connection with God, away from the virtual spotlight. How might your prayer life deepen if it were a more private, personal conversation with your Creator?
- Challenge yourself to engage in an act of kindness or service without sharing it on social media. Consider volunteering, helping a friend in need, or simply being kind without expecting recognition. How does it feel to let go of the desire for likes and comments? Take note of the impact this has on your motivation and sense of fulfillment.
Free Social Images & Slides to Share
Feel free to download and share the following images on your social media platforms. Slide backgrounds are available for use in various presentation tools such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, and others:
