During the season of Lent, there is a renewed call to prayer.
We are reminded that prayer, fasting and almsgiving are spiritual exercises during Lent to help us repent and to turn away from sin so that we can turn back to God.
So the purpose of prayer, fasting and almsgiving is to cleanse us of sin so that we can come before the God of mercy and compassion and to be healed by His love and forgiveness.
The gospel parable reminds us that by doing the above does not mean that we can claim any credit for it.
Because if there is no love in doing those spiritual exercises, then we may think that we had done what we need to do and hence God will have to reward us.
We may think that we have done the required penance and sacrifice.
But in the 1st reading, the Lord God says this: What I want is love, not sacrifice, knowledge of God, not holocausts.
As a tree is known by its fruits, so will our prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
May we bear fruits of love, so that we can love God and love neighbour. That is the primary purpose of Lent.