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 BE
WISE
- by Bro. Pete Lapid
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“They were buying oil when the bridegroom came, and those who were ready
went with him to the wedding feast, and the doors were shut.” (From the
Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids - Matthew 22:1-13).
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- LENT has always
been for me a time of preparation for Easter. A time to prepare ourselves
to meet the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday. A time to prepare, clean and get
rid of all the sins that are occupying our hearts – so that our hearts
will be pure and ready to meet the Lord when He comes.
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- Our life here on
earth is very much like Lent. It is a time of preparing ourselves for that
time – the time when the Lord invites us to His wedding feast. And I
definitely would not want to find myself outside “when the doors are
shut”, just like the five foolish bridesmaids. And I am certain that you
too, Brothers and Sisters, would not want to find yourselves outside the
doors when they are closed. Because once the doors are shut, it will be
forever. There will be no more replays, no second chances and no “starting
all over again”.
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- “Be converted
to the Lord and give up your sins, plead with Him to lessen your offense.
Return to the Almighty, turn aside from wrongdoing and totally detest
evil” (Sirach 17:25-26).
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- Lent is a time
when we are reminded to go back to the Lord. And it is good to do this
during Lent. However, what we really need to do is to return to the Lord
not only once a year, not even as often as possible, but everyday. We need
to go back to the Lord every single day of our lives, while we are
journeying here on earth to our real home in Heaven. Why? Because every
single day of our lives, we commit sin.
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- And what should
encourage us to do this? It is because we have a God who is merciful and
forgiving. “How great is the mercy of the Lord and His forgiveness for
those who turn to Him!” (Sirach 17:29)
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- What father
among us would not be delighted when his child comes to him and asks for
forgiveness? What father would not be so happy and his heart jumping with
joy when his child humbly comes to him, admits his mistakes and asks for
forgiveness? And what father among us would not forgive such a
child? More so, our Heavenly Father! In fact, the Bible says that there is
more rejoicing in Heaven when one sinner repents and comes back to the
Lord.
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- Let us therefore
be wise. And be like the five wise bridesmaids who brought with them
plenty of oil, who came prepared to meet the Bridegroom. Let us prepare
ourselves to meet the Lord not only during Lent but all throughout our
life here on earth. So that when the doors are shut, we will find
ourselves inside the wedding hall where there will be eternal rejoicing,
eternal happiness and eternal peace in the presence of our God and King.
Amen!
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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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