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 LENTEN
CHALLENGE
- By Fr. S. Binzler, SJ
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Ash
Wednesday marks the beginning of the forty days of preparation for Easter,
called the Lenten Season.
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Easter
is so holy a feast that we should spend time preparing ourselves for the
celebration of Christ’s resurrection. This we do especially during
Lent.
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In our
observance of Lent, there are three important acts that we should fulfill:
"Prayer," "Fasting" and "Almsgiving."
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Lent
is a time for us to reflect and review our outlook in life. To pause and
take a look at how has materialism and other worldly concerns have
affected the way we live. More importantly, it is the time to
"re-evaluate" how have we been living our lives as Christians.
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For us
Christians, Lent is also a time when we remember the promises we made at
our Baptism. We ask ourselves: “How have I professed my faith?” “Do I
renounce evil?” And so, on Easter Sunday, we light candles and we are
blessed with holy water as we renew our baptismal promises.
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Likewise, Lent is a special time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Most
parishes have special penance services so that we can celebrate God's
forgiveness as a community. During Lent, priests almost always wear purple
as a reminder that we are in a time of penance. We do fasting as an act
of penance. We “empty” ourselves to allow God’s grace to fill us and
strengthen us. Lent is a time to be more introspective and serious.
We normally do not celebrate parties or weddings throughout Lent; we do
not sing the “Alleluia" and we do not pray the "Glory to God in the
Highest" during the celebration of the Holy Mass. We have fewer songs and
fewer flowers, for everything should be very simple during Lent. Not so
much on the outside, but more importantly, internally, in our hearts where
it matters. As Jesus says in Matthew 6:17 “When you fast, wash you
face and make yourself look cheerful. You are not fasting for appearances
or for people, but for your Father who sees beyond appearances.”
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Throughout Lent, we must do almsgiving in response to Jesus' call to feed
the hungry, visit the sick, comfort the troubled, help the poor, and give
hope to the broken hearted and in despair. And in doing so, bear in mind
that Jesus cautions us in Matthew 6:3. “If you give something to the
poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so
that your gift remains really secret. Your Father who sees what is kept
secret will reward you.”
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As a
final point, let us challenge ourselves this Lenten Season to find answers
to these two questions: Can I really be satisfied with the present
state of my life? What must I do to become more like Christ?
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TELL US LIKE IT IS!
- Has something
wonderful and unique happened in your life lately? Did God answer your
prayer in a very unexpected way? Did you, like Isaiah, meet God’s
whisper?
- Have you felt
His powerful hand working in your life recently?
- Everyday,
people are experiencing God’s mighty Word in their lives and it is a
pity that very few know about it. Do you have a story to tell? Some Good
News to share?
- E-mail us (genesis@catholic.org)
or fax us (021-6627384), and tell us about it. That’s right! You don’t
have to be a great writer to do this. We can help you write it – just
tell us like it is!
- Don’t forget
to write the subject: “Let Me Tell You A Story”
For comments, suggestions or
ideas:
Write us: Jl. Bacang No. 20 Kebayoran
Baru, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Call us: (6221) 720-3824
Fax us: (6221) 662-7384
Genesis Catholic
Community - All Rights Reserved 2003
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This Site has been
awarded
IN THIS ISSUE:
HIS Servant
by Bro. Pete Lapid
The Father Speaks
By Fr. S. Binzler, SJ
Our Faith
By Fr. KJ Veeger, MSC
Place of Refuge
By Philip Yuson
Reflection
By Fr. Agustinus Tupen Belo, PR
Community Life
By Tintin Magbitang
Straight from the Heart
By Carolle Bautist
God Answers Prayers
By Beth Manibog
On Focus
By Sansu Garin
Saint for the Month
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