Gospel (Mt 6,1-6.16-18) - At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: «Be careful not to practice your righteousness before men to be admired by them, otherwise there is no reward for you from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore, when you give alms, do not blow the trumpet in front of you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, to be praised by the people. Truly I say to you: they have already received their reward. Instead, while you give alms, let your left hand not know what your right hand is doing, so that your almsgiving remains in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not be similar to the hypocrites who, in the synagogues and in the corners of the squares, love to pray while standing, to be seen by people. Truly I say to you: they have already received their reward. Instead, when you pray, go into your room, close 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 become melancholy like the hypocrites, who put on a haggard look to show others that they are fasting. Truly I say to you: they have already received their reward. Instead, when you fast, perfume your head and wash your face there, so that people do not see that you are fasting, but only your Father, who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

Lent begins today to prepare for Easter. The Liturgy of the Church reports God's heated invitation: "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and lament" (2.12). Concerned about the insensitivity of the people of Israel, the prophet Joel adds: «Tear your hearts and not your clothes, return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, of great love, ready to repent to evil" (Joel 2:13). Lent is the right time to return to God and re-understand the very meaning of life. The liturgy comes to us with the ancient and austere sign of ashes. While a small handful of ashes is placed on our heads, the priest tells us: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return."
It's the truth about our lives: we are truly dust, weak and fragile. We easily rise. And we forget that we are poor. Anyone who lifts himself up and feels strong soon finds himself weak. The ash on our heads reminds us of our weakness. But don't increase your fear or sadness. On the contrary, to tell us that this weakness that we are is loved by God, is chosen by God to realize his plan of love and peace for the whole world.
We Christians are called to be sentinels of peace in the places where we live and work. We are asked to be vigilant so that consciences do not give in to the temptation of selfishness, lies, violence and conflict. Fasting and prayer make us attentive and vigilant sentinels so that the sleep of resignation that makes conflicts seem inevitable does not prevail; so that the sleep of acquiescence in the evil that continues to oppress the world does not prevail; so that the sleep of lazy realism that makes one retreat into oneself and one's own interests be defeated at its root. In the Gospel we heard, Jesus himself exhorts the disciples to fast and pray to shed all pride and arrogance and to prepare themselves to receive God's gifts. Our strength alone is not enough to ward off evil; we need to invoke the Lord's help. He - as Bonhoeffer loved to say - makes us not only good, but also strong, so that love wins over hatred and the peace that they are unable to give themselves.