LENT...Finding Life's Compass...

Not many days from now, on February 22, the holy season of Lent will once again dwell upon us...Ash Wednesday.

The events that preceded the death and resurrection of our dear Lord Jesus Christ will come upon us yet again; the Via Dolorosa...way of the Cross.  It is a season of gratitude.

This is yet another opportunity, graced upon us, to examine our own life, our journey...to determine those parts of us that need to die...parts we must let go...grudges, fears, laziness, resentments, old habits, etc...a time for us to repent.

It is also a time for each one of us to journey to Jerusalem with Jesus once again; renewing bits of ourselves, peeling away another layer of our human condition.  Each year comes and goes quickly...as impatient as we all are...the transformation and birth of our true self only takes place in God’s time.  We must patiently and humbly wait for Him...but we must stay awake...we must be sensitive to God’s presence around us...we must learn to listen to His quiet whisper...most of all we must simply place our full trust in Him.

As I begin to jot down the above reflection, my thoughts rushed back to last weekend when I visited a terminally ill colleague.  He has been journeying or rather; crawling through life...battling and hanging on to whatever bits of life that remains in him; with Stage IV nasal cancer...which of late has spread to parts of his body...now both his kidneys seem to be failing him.  His breaths are short and much weight has been lost.  Time seem to stand still...

Yes, cancer is such a cruel disease...created by mankind...it does not choose...it does not warn the victim.  Cancer brings so much silent pain for the parent and family, but even much more hopelessness for the innocent victim.  Does God punish us?  How can one find faith and hope under such circumstances?

The seconds become minutes, the minutes spill into hours, the hours into days, days turn into weeks, into months, into years...into eternity...  What simple words of comfort does one offer such a friend?  The journey towards Golgotha seem endless...

Encouragement, strength, courage, a touch, a hug, a smile...most of all one’s humble presence...only the sacred silence where both human spirit simply and quietly reach out to bond as one creation... through Him, with Him, in Him but ever most of all, loved and cherished by God...no matter how far we have drifted or turned away, no matter how broken our bodies have become...God will always love you!

My dear friend would surely swap his condition, just lying on the hospital bed, waiting...for the good health that most of us able-bodied take for granted day in and day out.  Through our daily actions and worldly pursuits, we display absolutely no gratitude for life...for God!

Such is the hopelessness and regret that is felt when one’s time on earth is almost up...when one’s breath enters into sudden death...not knowing the hour that is to come.  Soon the tiredness will be put to rest.

For most of us, who are truly “alive”, do we actually realize and cherish life as a gift? Are we conscious of our “alive-ness”?

Or, are we simply more distracted by how this “gift of life” is packaged?  Whether we have this or that, whether we are born into a rich and wealthy family, so many whether and what ifs.

The more that we come to the realization (and this is not simple) that life is freely gifted from God, the more our life will be a life of faith and spirituality; a life where we come to know God, where we journey in relationship with Him...where God becomes real in our lives.

As truly simple pilgrims through this life, the meaning of our short pilgrimage on earth must not depend on reaching any particular destination, accumulating a certain level of material wealth or striving to achieve any worldly goal...the world label this as success.

Very simply, it should instead depend on our humbleness, simplicity, openness, faithfulness, hope and trust...that God knows the way far better than we do – He will lead us, if we just let Him.  He will love us, if only we allow Him.

However, as prideful as we all are, in our entire majestic ego, we become impatient, restless, we seize control, we want control, we want worldly assurance...we want to become powerful in the eyes of the world.  In the course of this mad obsession, we put layers after layers upon us, until we lose our simple identity; we forget our humble roots, becoming deaf to the call to discipleship, blind to others, mute to sharing the goodness of God, losing our sense of direction...becoming out-of-touch with God.

This Lent, we must come back to the Gospel...diligently journey the Via Dolorosa with Jesus...He will surely give us hope, He will bring us home.  Trust Him with your entire life.  This is the best investment one can make...with guaranteed returns!

Hope does not pretend that everything will be alright.  Hope simply means knowing that Jesus will sustain us and walk with us...as our faithful companion.  As I mentioned to someone recently, my simple view is that “God is good ALL the time.”

It is almost certainly the selfish acts of mankind, with its egoistic human condition, that causes chaos all around and subsequently, having to face drastic consequences of such actions...both from the past, but most of the time, changing the course of many generations into the future.

As I reflect on the Apostolic Letter entitled, “Motu Proprio Data” of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI for the indiction of the Year of Faith which is due to begin on October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013, I am reminded that the “door of faith” (Acts 14:27) is always open for each one of us.

“We must rediscover a taste for feeding ourselves on the Word of God faithfully handed down by the Church, and on the bread of life, offered as sustenance for his disciples.”

The life of Christians, as pointed out in this simple Apostolic Letter, knows the experience of joy as well as the experience of suffering.

“This is a great joy to you, even though for a short time yet you must bear all sorts of trials; so that the worth of your faith, more valuable than gold, which is perishable even if it has been tested by fire, may be proved - to your praise and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  You have not seen him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him you believe in him and so are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described; and you are sure of the goal of your faith, that is, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:6-9, New Jerusalem Bible)

This short papal letter moves on to remind each one of us that what the world is in particular need of today is the credible witness of people, like you and me, enlightened in both mind and heart by the Word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many to the desire for God and for true life...a life without end...a life that is journeyed with the hope of the resurrection...a journey travelled with Jesus as an Easter people.

As such, the trials of this short and finite life, while helping us to understand the mystery of the Cross and to participate in the sufferings of Christ, are a prelude to the joy and hope to which simple faith ultimately leads to.

Next week, beginning Ash Wednesday, onwards into the coming holy season of Lent, let us commit, discipline and entrust ourselves to the Lord Jesus, who is and will always walk beside us as our faithful Companion, as He always knows what we need and most of all, what is best for us.

Wishing one and all across the world, a holy and healing season of Lent, coupled with a meaningful Via Dolorosa with Jesus...towards the door of faith...  May the hands of the Lord touch your hearts in a way that will move you ever closer to Him.  Amen.

Lent...The Journey Begins...

“…Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word…” (Luke 1:38, NAB)



This would not be the usual biblical verse that one would expect to hear on Ash Wednesday, but then, the journey of each one is different, the reflection of each, a gift from God. 

On this first holy day of Lent 2011, I share the humble musings of my heart.


By the grace of the Holy Spirit, all of these events began with a simple and free ‘fiat’ response spoken by our Mother Mary to the Angel Gabriel and Christ was conceived and born into the world.

‘Fiat’ is a Latin word translating to ‘Let it be done’.


“She uttered her yes ‘in the name of all human nature’”
- St. Thomas Aquinas

 St. Irenaeus in the 2nd Century added that, “Being obedient, she became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race”.

Mother Mary was first to kiss the face of the baby Lord Jesus, the holy face of God. 

She mothered, embraced and loved Jesus throughout His growing up years with all her heart, with all her soul. 

Such was the joy, we felt when we experienced Christmas, not so many months ago; Jesus coming into the world.

However, little did Mary know the consequences of this obedient ‘fiat’ to God’s Word. 

Little did she know that her little cherished lamb, would one day be slained as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world.


“And thy own soul a sword shall pierce...” (Luke 2:35, Douay-Rheims)


Bishop Fulton Sheen wrote in his great book, Life of Christ, “The sword was already coming to Mary before the Cross had come to her Son, for she was already feeling the cutting separation…Jesus grew up as a village carpenter, a maker of wood.  The familiar nails and crossbeams in the shop would later on become the instruments of His own torture; and He would Himself be hammered to a tree.  One wonders why this long preparation for such a brief ministry of three years.”

Throughout His growing up years, Jesus experienced fully the love of His parents Mary (and Joseph).  They probably pampered Him and groomed His spiritual life and in the knowledge of the faith, the scriptures...


By their ever patient loving guidance, His human nature and spiritual maturity grew to perfection. 

Mary, eternally faithful, journeyed with her Son right to the end, at the foot of the old rugged wooden Cross.  

One can imagine her pain, her tears...seeing the flesh of her flesh being scourged, nailed, pierced...her little boy.

“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19, NAB)

The wood that made the cradle for the baby Jesus, the wood that He grew up and played with would has become the heaviest Cross He would have to carry, the Cross that fell on Him 3 times, the Cross that He would be nailed onto for the redemption of all mankind, the Cross drenched with His Precious Blood. 

The sweet embrace of Mary at Christmas has turned into a bitter, painful and bloody one on Good Friday.  The tears of joy has become the tears of sorrow.


As the holy season of Lent begins today, let us remember to live out this ‘fiat’ spirituality of Mary in spiritual communion with the Church and in solidarity with all fellow human beings, as being one creation in the image of God.

This Lent, let us more fully accept Jesus in our heart, mind and body, remembering always to share this same salvation and healing with the rest of the world, too.

Let us not doubt but be faithful in the journey, with Jesus as our companion, through all that life has to offer.  May this Lenten season give us new strength to persevere till the very end when we will meet our Lord.


This Lent, may we always imitate Jesus’ obedience and cry out, “…still, not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42, NAB)

This is our faith...this is our hope...

 

The Desert...An Exodus For Lent

“The desert is a place where the soul encounters God, but it is also a place of extreme desolation – a place of testing, where the soul is flung upon its own resources and therefore upon God. The desert, in this sense, can be any where.”

– Elizabeth Hamilton, The Desert My Dwelling Place: A Study of Charles de Foucauld

 The desert, we know, is an extremely harsh environment – open spaces, dry, barren, extreme hot temperature in the day, cold in the nights, very little rain fall, not a drop of water at many a times, hostile, wild, empty, sandy, a mystery…

Though each desert is different, they are all isolated, lonely and silent.  Quite appropriately, the Arabic word ‘sahara’ translates to desert.  Why would any sane living human being even want to be out here in the wilderness, away from all the comforts of everyday life?


The story of the desert (or wilderness, as it is more often used) has been associated with many people in the Bible – Abraham and Sarah, the long years of the Exodus with Moses, the flight of Elijah, John the Baptist, many, many others and of course, Jesus.

“Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days...” (Luke 4:1-2, NAB)

Scripture tells us that after being baptized, Jesus prayed and fasted for forty days and nights in the desert; being tempted in the great silence.  Jesus went to the desert wilderness to prepare for the mission of His Father.

In the Old Testament, we read that Moses, too, went to the mountain at Sinai, in the desert, and stayed there 40 days and nights (Exodus 24:18).  Likewise, Prophet Elijah spent 40 days journeying there. (1 Kings 19:8)
 The desert, it seems, has nothing to offer – inviting the abandonment of everything in favor of nothing – surrendering of everything to seek God alone...to meet God in our nothingness...just 'being' our simple naked self - stripped of everything that is of the world.

In the biblical days, we read that the desert, for many, was an experience, a place to runaway to, a place to be tempted, to be tested, to discover, to be found, to search, to survive, to seek solitude, to pray.


The Desert Fathers in the early centuries often sought for silence, simplicity and solitude in the deserts – the nature of the landscape, the open spaces allowing them to contemplate God and put Him in priority above everything else...no attachments, no distractions...


These days, amidst the busy-ness of the contemporary world, the metaphor of the desert can be, for us, a feeling of inner emptiness or void that comes from being cut-off from God’s presence – too many distracting noises from the everyday life.  However, this same desert can, if we so choose, be a place of self discovery for us this Lent.


The desert will demand from us, endurance, during the times of struggle, testing, simplicity, self abandonment, quiet prayer, emptiness, reliance on God – putting God first in our life.  The desert, according to Pope Benedict XVI is a “test of faith”.

“Yesterday, you understood a little; today, you understand better; tomorrow, you will understand better still: the light of God is growing in you.” – St Augustine of Hippo

As we undertake the fundamental decision to begin this journey through the holy season of Lent, with Ash Wednesday, let us not to be afraid.

Instead let us dare to renew ourselves with the experiences of the desert within us – seeking such isolation as a means of abandoning ourselves completely to God – gaining our courage, deepening our faith and developing the sensitivity to hearing the voice of God again – trusting God with our life again – encountering our God in love again...to cross this desert with Jesus...to be found and embraced by Jesus, our good shepherd.

“From the moment Christ went out into the desert to be tempted, the loneliness, the temptation and the hunger of every man and woman became the loneliness, the temptation and the hunger of Christ”
– Thomas Merton

Absence from the “A” word…More of the “F” word…

“The gates of Jerusalem shall sing hymns of gladness, and all her houses shall cry out, “Alleluia! Blessed be God who has raised you up! May he be blessed for all ages!” For in you they shall praise his holy name forever…” (Tobit 13:18, NAB)


Lent will begin this coming Ash Wednesday, March 9 and will go on until Holy Thursday when the Easter Triduum begins.  During this season of Lent, we prepare ourselves through the self-examination of our lives and build stronger, our relationship with God.


In this season, the Church refrains from singing the “Alleluia” in liturgy.  This simple practice aims to remind us of our need for self-denial and repentance; awaiting in hopeful anticipation of praising it fully at Easter – with shouts of “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”

Easter bears witness to the empty tomb, without which, our faith would have been truly in vain.


“…and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.”
(1 Corinthians 15:17, NAB)

 The word “Alleluia” is a compound word made up from several different words.  It is derived from the Hebrew word ‘Hallel’ which means ‘to praise in song’.

The letter ‘u’ denotes the second person plural, while ‘Yah’ is an abbreviation for the name of God, a shortened form of YHWH, the name for the Creator ‘Yahweh’’; the Lord God.


Hence, the Latin ‘Alleluia’ equals the Hebrew ‘Hallelu-Yah’ equals ‘Praise Yah(weh)’.


‘Alleluia’ becomes our richest exclamation of praise to God.


The absence of this “A” (lleluia) word during Lent must deliberately remind us of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

It reminds us that, without Good Friday, there would not have been an Easter.  It reminds us that, without Easter, we are merely dust, destined to return to dust.  Missing “Alleluia” during this holy time and recollecting the Passion of Christ and the Kingdom coming is precisely what the season of Lent is all about; our salvation.

Knowing this then, our spiritual journey through Lent this year can become more meaningful.

By the way, “F”asting is a good form of penance and self denial during the entire season of Lent.  Not that we are asked to fast from all forms of food throughout these 40 days! 

Fasting can be in many other forms to show God how sorry we are for our sins and how much we love Him more than anything else in this world – reading, studying and reflecting on scriptures, attending the Stations of the Cross, practicing self control, refrain from saying the four-letter-word, praying the rosary, watching less TV, reading the lives of the Saints and many others.

What will you choose this Lent?

The Forty Holy Days...

Less than a week to Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, extending over 40 days.  I share with you this short and simple reflection as we journey the final leg towards a season of holiness, preparation, repentance and renewal.

"Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return."

(Genesis 3:19, Douay-Rheims)

The priest will deliver this traditional English translation of the admonition to each and every one of us, whether young or old, male or female, rich or poor, all, sinners the same.  The priest will make the sign of the cross, of ashes on our forehead to remind us that none of us can escape death and final judgment.

"...the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel."

(Mark 1:15, Douay-Rheims)

Can You Spare An Hour?...

"Everything changes, always.  Only God is steady and changeless." - St. Teresa of Avila

Life is indeed a pilgrimage…when we recognize God’s presence – whether we zigzag across the continents visiting great shrines or sacred places or never even cross the state line.  Pilgrimage does not necessarily mean reaching a particular geographical location or destination.  Instead, it refers to us reaching a deeper interior place within our heart.

Every one of us, pilgrims, are all on a journey towards God, whether we know it or not.  We cannot simply rely on ourselves in this journey…we need God as our companion...only He knows the Way, only He shines the Light. 

We are free to decide whether this journey will be about simply surviving the daily challenges of life or becoming a pilgrim on the road to union with our Creator.


“…he went out into a mountain to pray, and he passed the whole night in the prayer of God.” (Luke 6:12, Douay-Rheims)


During His life on earth, Jesus spent the whole night in prayer before He selected the twelve who were to become His disciples.  We can be certain that Jesus spent much time praising and thanking His Father.  We must also take time to thank God for all His blessings upon us each day.


“And rising very early, going out, he went into a desert place: and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35, Douay-Rheims)


Furthermore, Jesus needed His Father’s support before He began each new day.  As pilgrims, we too need the same guidance and support from God, on our pilgrimage through life.


“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.  Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will…” (Matthew 11:25-26, NAB)

Jesus constantly prays and He understands His Father’s unique ways of doing things.  The prophet Isaiah also assures us that God’s ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts.  In prayer, we too must be obedient to God's will, God's timing.

Similarly, Jesus also wanted the prayerful support of His friends when He suffered the agony in the garden of Gethsemani. 

His disappointment at their failure to respond at His hour of need is most evident.

“…What? Could you not watch one hour with me?” (Matthew 26:40, Douay-Rheims)


Do you hear that same plea deep within your own heart?  Could you not even stay awake with me for even one hour?

As we journey towards the commencement of Lent, we should make time for prayer and spiritual reflection.  Each day, choose to spend a simple hour in prayer and quietly reading and pondering the Word of God in the holy scriptures.

Abide in God's word (John 15:7), meditate on it (Psalm 1:2) and recite it day and night (Joshua 1:8).

This simple practice can then reach out into our busy lives to help us be a little more calm and mindful of God's presence in everything we do, not do, say, not say and in everyone we encounter…hence, preparing ourselves towards a more meaningful journey towards Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the holy season of Lent.

Today, create some sacred space, take time to talk with God and listen for his voice.  God always hears us when we call.

Experiencing The True Presence...

“Our work…calls for us to see Jesus in everyone. He has told us that He is the hungry one. He is the naked one. He is the thirsty one. He is the one without a home. He is the one who is suffering. These are our treasures…they are Jesus. Each one is Jesus in His distressing disguise.”
– Mother Teresa

As we journey towards Ash Wednesday – the beginning of the holy season of Lent, we ponder and ask ourselves the fundamental question, which we often take for granted.  Very simply, who is Jesus Christ for you?


The world’s academicians are unable to tell us if Jesus Christ was God, historians and scientists cannot analyze the way in which Jesus was both Lord and servant or for that matter, how He was both God and man.


Those who knew Jesus personally, especially His disciples, had to ultimately decide to follow Jesus by faith.  Rational thought and human reasoning can never ever fully explain, let alone allow one to meet the Jesus we know and worship.
 Many of us are familiar with the story of Christmas, celebrated a few weeks back, in December last.  Jesus – born of the Virgin Mary, son of Joseph a simple carpenter; grew to become an obedient son, great teacher, healer and miracle worker; the Word of God made flesh.

His wisdom, values and teachings are revolutionary radical in nature (to human minds, impossible and unacceptable, even incomprehensible, his parables!); He mingles with people whom society at large scorned and despise; tax collectors, fishermen, lepers, Samaritans, prostitutes, traitors, adulteress, the blind, the lame, the dumb, the mute, and the poor, amongst many others.
 Jesus is the Son of Man, incarnate Son of God, second person of the Holy Trinity, King, Servant, Savior, Lamb, High Priest, Rabbi, Light, Friend, and Companion – crucified, died, buried and rose from the dead. Jesus Christ is Divine – He is Lord – Creator of the Universe – Emmanuel, God with us.

“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30,  Douay Rheims)


The holy name Jesus, in Latin Iesus, in Hebrew-Aramaic, YHWH (Yahweh) meaning “God saves”.  The name Christ is the Greek (Christós), translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah” which means “Anointed One”.

The Gospel of St. Mark portrays Jesus as a wonder worker; the Gospel of St. Matthew portrays Him as the kingly Messiah; whereas St. Luke portrays Him as the friend of sinners and outcasts.  The Gospel of St. John presents a theological representation of Jesus as the divine Logos or Word.


In the tabernacle of every Catholic Church throughout the world, this same infinite, eternal, omnipotent and all-loving God/man is truly physically present, through the Blessed Sacrament, just as He was after the Resurrection.  He is always available to us, earthly pilgrims, on our journey towards the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Catholic Church embraces the doctrine of transubstantiation, meaning that Christ is “truly present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity,” though under the appearance of bread or wine.  In other words, Catholics believe that at the Holy Mass, bread and wine truly becomes the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, during the Consecration by the priest. 

The consecrated bread, the Eucharist, in the form of wafers known as hosts, becomes what is known as the Blessed Sacrament.

This presence remains even after the Consecration, so that even after Mass is concluded; the Eucharistic elements still remains Christ's Body and Blood.  The tabernacle serves as a secure place in which to store the Blessed Sacrament for carrying to the sick who cannot participate in Mass, or as a focus for the prayers of those who visit the Church.

By virtue of this, we can enter His physical presence and be as close to Him as the Apostles were during His life.  Whereas they saw Him with their eyes, we too can see Him with the eyes of faith.  We need only to simply enter a Catholic Church and we come to experience the presence of our mighty King, Lord of the Universe who lived as a humble village carpenter, suffered, died and rose again for you and me.


“No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3, NAB).


So, very simply, quietly and humbly…spend time and invite Jesus into your heart…truly experience His Presence and your journey towards Lent will surely become much more meaningful…and your burdens, light.

To Jesus hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament

“I adore You, Lord and Creator,

hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

I adore You for all the works of Your hands,

that reveal to me so much wisdom,

goodness and mercy, O Lord.

You have spread so much beauty over the earth

and it tells me about Your beauty,

even though these beautiful things are

but a faint reflection of You,

incomprehensible Beauty.

And although You have hidden Yourself

and concealed your beauty,

my eye, enlightened by faith, reaches You

and my soul recognizes its Creator,

its Highest Good,

and my heart is completely

immersed in prayer of adoration.”

- Saint Faustina Kowalska

St. Hilary once said that “grace depends mostly on perseverance in prayer.”  Just remember that God is never “too busy” to hear from you.  Don’t be “too busy” for Him!

Towards Ash Wednesday...A Reconciliation With God...

Pope John Paul II said, “Love is the Gift of Self.”

“Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

The world’s celebration of Valentine’s Day is over, but people must remember that there are always 364 ‘other’ days in the year for us to continuously express and live out our love to those around us, especially to the One who made us.

Further around the bend of life’s journey, some 3 weeks later, the church will observe Ash Wednesday - the first day of the 40-day Lenten fast; a penitential period for us, pilgrims, to prepare for the joyous celebration of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; Easter.

Rev. Lawrence E. Mick shares with us that, “To prepare well for the day we die, we must die now to sin and rise to new life in Christ.  Being marked with ashes at the beginning of Lent indicates our recognition of the need for deeper conversion of our lives during this season of renewal.”

The ashes used on this solemn day come from the palms that were used in the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration.  These palms are collected by the church prior to the Ash Wednesday service and blessed using Holy Water and infused with incense.


“I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.” (Daniel 9:3, NAB)


“…they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.” (Matthew 11:21, NAB)

As these ashes are symbolically marked or dabbed on our forehead with the sacred sign of the cross, we are invited and reminded of the prayerful words, "Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return." (Genesis 3:19)

It is interesting to note that come the year 2018, the church’s solemn celebration of Ash Wednesday will fall smack on the secular commercial observance of Valentine’s Day; February 14.  Similarly in the years 2024 and 2029, these two contrasting days will coincide…I humbly stand to be corrected.  Ashes, fasting, repentance versus red roses, chocolates, lavish spending – what a paradox we pilgrims will face!

The solemn holy day continues to recall the quiet events that lead to the Passion of Christ whereas in the worldly observance of Valentine's…perhaps, Christ is forgotten all together amidst the distracting noises of the commercialisation and materialism.

The purpose of fasting and self denial during Lent is spiritual focus, self discipline, imitation of Christ, penance, reconciliation and ultimately, conversion – turning around, wholly and completely towards God.


Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that, “Man is dust and to dust he shall return, but he is precious dust in God’s eyes, because God created man for immortality.”

As we journey towards Ash Wednesday, let us always choose to respond “yes” to the One who gives us our existence, to freely love and serve Him…to follow Christ in what we say, feel, think and do; instead of being simply ‘seduced’ and 'enslaved' by the world.


The free and saving love of Jesus Christ…is a love that the world today, cannot understand...