Gospel in Art: Ash Wednesday: when you give, pray and fast...

Vanitas Table (8), Sculpted by Hans op de Beeck, 2016, mixed media © Private Collection, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 5 March 2025
Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

'Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

'And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But 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.

'And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.'

Reflection on the sculpture

The traditional Lenten practices mentioned in today's Gospel reading-prayer, fasting, and almsgiving-offer us three distinct yet deeply interconnected ways of growing in our relationship with God. Rather than separate disciplines, they actually form one spiritual path with three dimensions, each reinforcing the others. Fasting is often associated with abstaining from food or drink, but in a broader sense, it is about renouncing anything that hinders our relationship with the Lord. It is a deliberate turning away from self-centredness, a 'no' to anything that draws us away from God. However, this 'no' is always in service of a greater 'yes': a 'yes' to God, expressed through prayer, and a 'yes' to others, expressed through almsgiving, which is ultimately an act of self-giving love.

The danger of Lent is that it can subtly become self-focused rather than God-centred. What begins as an act of devotion can, if we are not careful, turn into a pursuit of personal achievement or public approval. Jesus reminds us that these practices are not about drawing attention to ourselves, but about deepening our relationship with God and serving others with humility. True Lenten discipline leads us away from self-interest and towards a heart that is fully open to God's grace.

Belgian artist Hans Op de Beeck creates striking artworks that are entirely covered in grey ashes, evoking a sense of transience and impermanence. His choice of materials and monochromatic palette serve as a powerful visual metaphor for the passing nature of all things. Everyday objects, such as fruit, candles, books, furniture, are transformed into ashen relics, stripped of their colour and vitality. These familiar items, once vibrant and full of life, appear frozen in time, as if they have already succumbed to the inevitability of decay and disappearance.

This artistic vision resonates deeply with the meaning of Ash Wednesday, when we receive ashes on our foreheads as a solemn reminder that "you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). Just as Op de Beeck's sculptures show that even the most ordinary and cherished things of this world will one day fade away, so too does Lent call us to reflect on the temporary nature of earthly life. We are not meant to cling to material things, for everything in this world will ultimately pass away. Instead, we are invited to fix our hearts on what is eternal, seeking God's kingdom rather than fleeting earthly treasures.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-6-1-6-16-18-2025/