Wednesday 5 March 2025

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Joel 2:1-2 & 2:12-17

1Blow the trumpet in Zion;

sound the alarm on my holy mountain!

Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,

for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near—

2a day of darkness and gloom,

a day of clouds and thick darkness!

Like blackness spread upon the mountains

a great and powerful army comes;

their like has never been from of old,

nor will be again after them

in ages to come.

12Yet even now, says the LORD,

return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

13rend your hearts and not your clothing.

Return to the LORD, your God,

for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,

and relents from punishing.

14Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,

and leave a blessing behind him,

a grain-offering and a drink-offering

for the LORD, your God?

15Blow the trumpet in Zion;

sanctify a fast;

call a solemn assembly;

16gather the people.

Sanctify the congregation;

assemble the aged;

gather the children,

even infants at the breast.

Let the bridegroom leave his room,

and the bride her canopy.

17Between the vestibule and the altar

let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep.

Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O LORD,

and do not make your heritage a mockery,

a byword among the nations.

Why should it be said among the peoples,

“Where is their God?” ’

God's Response and Promise

Matthew 6:1-6 & 6:16-21

1‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.6.4 Other ancient authorities add openly

Concerning Prayer

5‘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. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6But whenever 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.6.6 Other ancient authorities add openly

16‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.6.18 Other ancient authorities add openly

Concerning Treasures

19‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust6.19 Gk eating consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust6.20 Gk eating consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Sound Eye