From time to time I’ve heard it suggested that you should keep your Lenten penance a secret. This suggestion is tied to our Lord’s admonition in Matthew’s gospel to not look gloomy when we fast, so as not to appear to be fasting (Mt 6:17-18). It may seem ironic that this passage is read on Ash Wednesday, when the faithful go about with black smudges on our foreheads.
There is one point we all can agree on which is found in Numbers 23:19: “God is not a human being who speaks falsely, nor a mortal who feels regret. Is God one to speak and not act, to decree and not bring it to pass?” We also read in 1 Kings 18:21, “Elijah approached all the people and said, ‘How long will you straddle the issue? If the Lord is God, follow Him; if Baal, follow him.’ But the people did not answer him.”