ASH WEDNESDAY.
READINGS:
1R: JOEL 2: 12 - 18.
PS 50 : 3 - 4, 5 - 6a, 12 - 13, 14 & 17.
2R: 2 Cor 5: 20 - 6: 2.
GOS MT 6: 1 - 6, 16 - 18.
TODAY WE BEGIN THE NEW SEASON OF GRACE- LENT
TODAY THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH COMES BEFORE THE MERCY SEAT OF GOD WITH FATING AND ABSTINENCE.
WHY ?
BECAUSE OF THE ACUTE CONSCIOUSNESS OF SIN WITHIN AND WITHOUT.
BECAUSE OF THE SINFUL NATURE HUMAN BEINGS ALWAYS TEND TO GO AWAY FROM GOD AND CONSEQUENTLY FROM THE NEIGHBOR AND AS A RESULT MOVE AWAY FROM ONE'S OWN ULTIMATE GOAL THAT IS THE ATTAINMENT OF HEAVENLY JOY AND FINAL GLORIFICATION.
THE SEASON OF LENT THEREFORE SUGGESTS THREE AGE OLD AND TIME PROVEN MEANS.
PRAYER
FASTING
ALMS GIVING
JESUS SAYS ALL THE THREE SHOULD BE PRACTICED IN A MANNER NOT TO GET GLORY AND REWARD FROM HUMANS BUT TO PLEASE THE HEAVENLY FATHER AND RECEIVE APPROPRIATE REWARDS.
REMEMBER:
TODAY AND ON GOOD FRIDAY THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH FASTS AND ABSTAINS.
BUT CAN I NOT PRACTICE SOME FORM OF PENANCE WHICH WILL FREE ME FROM SOME ADDICTIONS OR INCLINATIONS.
CAN'T I DECIDE TODAY THAT AT LEAST IN THIS SEASON OF LENT I WILL AT LEAST A FEW MINUTES FOR PERSONAL PRAYER OR MEDITATION ? AND IF POSSIBLE CONTINUE THROUGH OUT THE YEAR.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALMS GIVING ARE AVAILABLE,PRACTICALLY EVERYDAY.
IF ALONE I KEEP MY EYES WIDE OPEN AND DEVELOP A CARING HEART.
THIS HABIT CAN GRADUALLY MAKE ME A PERSON OF EMPATHY.
PLEASE NOTE:
ONE CAN LEARN OR UNLEARN ANY HABIT WITHIN 21 DAYS.
I HAVE TWICE " 21 " DAYS IN FACT. WHY NOT TRY OUT SOMETHING REALLY FULFILLING ?
