2025
Ash Wednesday Focuses on three areas of Life!
Dear Friends, as we begin this Lenten journey, let us open our hearts to conversion. Today, as we receive ashes on our foreheads, we are reminded of our need for conversion. Lent is a time to turn back to God, to renew our hearts, and to live the Gospel more fully. This year, let us reflect on three areas where we may need a deeper conversion: journeying with others, being synodal, and having hope.
First, journeying with others. Faith is not just personal; it is communal. Jesus calls us to walk with one another, to support each other, especially those who are struggling. Lent is a time to ask: Do I journey with others in love, or do I focus only on myself?
Second, being synodal. “Synod” means walking together in unity, listening to one another, and discerning God’s will as a Church. Am I open to listening and learning from others, or do I insist on my own way? Lent invites us to grow in humility and communion.
Finally, having hope. The ashes remind us of our mortality, but they are also a sign of renewal. Lent is not just about sorrow; it is about hope, hope in God’s mercy, hope in new beginnings. Do I live with trust in God, even in difficult times? Let us walk together, listen to one another, and trust in the hope of Christ. “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Amen.
Day 2
Luke:9:22-25
The gospel calls us to reflect deeply on the meaning of discipleship and sacrifice. Lent is a season of repentance, fasting, and almsgiving. Jesus asks us to deny ourselves, not just in small sacrifices, but in a daily commitment to follow Him, even when it is difficult. This may mean letting go of selfish ambitions, pride, or material attachments in order to fully embrace the life God calls us to live.
The world often promises happiness through success, wealth, or power, but Jesus warns us: What good is it to gain everything yet lose our soul? Lent is a time to examine what we are pursuing—are we seeking temporary rewards, or are we truly surrendering to God’s will?
As we journey through Lent, let us ask for the grace to carry our crosses with faith and trust. May we be willing to lose our lives in service, love, and sacrifice so that we may find the fullness of life in Christ.
Luke:9:22-25
The gospel calls us to reflect deeply on the meaning of discipleship and sacrifice. Lent is a season of repentance, fasting, and almsgiving. Jesus asks us to deny ourselves, not just in small sacrifices, but in a daily commitment to follow Him, even when it is difficult. This may mean letting go of selfish ambitions, pride, or material attachments in order to fully embrace the life God calls us to live.
The world often promises happiness through success, wealth, or power, but Jesus warns us: What good is it to gain everything yet lose our soul? Lent is a time to examine what we are pursuing—are we seeking temporary rewards, or are we truly surrendering to God’s will?
As we journey through Lent, let us ask for the grace to carry our crosses with faith and trust. May we be willing to lose our lives in service, love, and sacrifice so that we may find the fullness of life in Christ.
Day 3
Mathew:9:14-15
Lent is a season of fasting, prayer, and reflection, a time when we recognize the absence of the bridegroom and prepare our hearts for His resurrection. Jesus’ words remind us that fasting is not merely a ritual but a response to our spiritual hunger for God. It is an act of love and devotion, drawing us closer to Christ by detaching us from worldly distractions.
As we journey through Lent, let us ask ourselves:
• Are we fasting with a purpose, seeking a deeper relationship with Christ?
• Do we recognize the presence of Jesus in our lives, even in times of sorrow and longing?
• How can our fasting and sacrifices make room for joy in the resurrection?
May this season of Lent be a time of renewal, where our fasting leads us not just to sorrow, but to a greater longing for the presence of Christ in our lives.
Day 4
Luke:5:27-32. Day-4
Today’s gospel highlights Jesus’ mission of mercy—He seeks out those who recognize their need for Him. During the holy season of Lent, this passage challenges us to reflect on our own need for repentance. Jesus does not reject sinners but invites them to transformation. Are we willing, like Levi, to leave behind anything that keeps us from fully following Christ? Are we welcoming toward others who seek God’s mercy, or do we, like the Pharisees, judge them? Lent is a time to examine our hearts, embrace God’s call to conversion, and extend His love to others.
Day 5
Luke:4:1-13. (Day-5)
The gospel present Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, where the devil tests Him in three key ways—each deeply relevant to the themes of materialism, power, and glory.
Lent is a season of self-examination, fasting, and prayer—mirroring Jesus’ time in the wilderness. The temptations He faced reflect the struggles we all encounter:
• Materialism: Seeking physical comfort over spiritual growth
• Power: Pursuing control rather than serving others
• Glory: Chasing validation instead of embracing humility
By resisting these temptations, Jesus shows us the path of faithfulness. This Lent, may we follow His example—choosing God over materialism, humility over power, and obedience over fleeting glory.
Day 6
Mathew:6:7-15 (Day-7)
Today’s Gospel calls us to deepen our prayer life, focusing on humility, trust, and forgiveness. Jesus warns against vain repetitions, reminding us that prayer is not about impressing others but about a heartfelt conversation with God. This challenges us to examine our own prayers—are they routine and mechanical, or do they reflect true dependence on God?
The Lord’s Prayer itself is a blueprint for our Lenten journey:
• “Our Father” reminds us of our relationship with God and each other.
• “Thy will be done” encourages surrender to God’s plan, a key Lenten theme.
• “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” highlights the importance of mercy, echoing Jesus’ call to forgive as we have been forgiven.
Lent is a time of renewal, and this passage invites us to pray with sincerity, seek God’s will, and cultivate a forgiving heart. As we fast, give alms, and pray, let us do so not for recognition, but to grow closer to God.
Day 7
Mathew:7:7-12 (Day-9)
Today’s gospel encourages us to trust in God’s generosity and to persist in seeking Him. Just as a loving parent provides for their child, God provides for us when we seek Him with sincerity. Lent is a time of knocking—on the door of God’s mercy, seeking His presence, and asking for the grace to grow spiritually. It is also a time to reflect on how we treat others. Jesus reminds us of the Golden Rule: we are to love and serve others as we would want to be loved and served.
As we journey through Lent, let us:
1. Ask God for guidance and strength in our struggles.
2. Seek His presence through prayer, scripture, and acts of love.
3. Knock on the door of mercy, trusting that He welcomes us with open arms.
May this holy season help us not only to receive God’s grace but also to share His love with those around us.
Day 8
Luke;11:29-32 (Day-8)
During Lent, we are invited to examine our hearts, repent, and return to God. In this passage, Jesus rebukes the people for seeking miraculous signs instead of recognizing the truth already before them. The holy season of Lent challenges us to reflect: Are we waiting for proof of God’s work in our lives, or are we responding in faith? Are we open to God’s call to repentance, or do we resist transformation? The Ninevites, despite their sinfulness, repented when they heard Jonah’s message. How much more should we respond to Jesus, who offers us salvation?
This passage urges us to stop looking for extraordinary signs and instead open our hearts to the grace already present. Lent is a time to humble ourselves, seek God’s wisdom, and turn away from sin. Let us not miss the presence of Christ in our daily lives, but instead, embrace His call to conversion with open hearts.
Day 9
Mathew:7:7-12 (Day-9)
Today’s gospel encourages us to trust in God’s generosity and to persist in seeking Him. Just as a loving parent provides for their child, God provides for us when we seek Him with sincerity. Lent is a time of knocking—on the door of God’s mercy, seeking His presence, and asking for the grace to grow spiritually. It is also a time to reflect on how we treat others. Jesus reminds us of the Golden Rule: we are to love and serve others as we would want to be loved and served.
As we journey through Lent, let us:
1. Ask God for guidance and strength in our struggles.
2. Seek His presence through prayer, scripture, and acts of love.
3. Knock on the door of mercy, trusting that He welcomes us with open arms.
May this holy season help us not only to receive God’s grace but also to share His love with those around us.
Day 10
Mathew:5:20-26 (Day-10)
Jesus challenges His followers to go beyond mere obedience to the law and instead embrace a righteousness that comes from the heart. Lent is a holy season of repentance, self-examination, and reconciliation. This passage reminds us that true righteousness is not just about external observance but about inner transformation.
1. Examine Your Heart – Are there lingering grudges or unresolved conflicts in your life? Jesus warns that anger and contempt can be as harmful as physical violence. Lent is a time to seek healing and let go of bitterness.
2. Prioritize Reconciliation – Jesus teaches that before we approach God in worship, we must make peace with others. This Lent, who do you need to forgive? Who do you need to ask for forgiveness?
3. Live Out True Righteousness – The Pharisees followed the law outwardly, but Jesus calls us to a deeper holiness—a righteousness that flows from love, mercy, and humility. Instead of just avoiding sin, we are called to actively love and restore relationships. During this holy Lent, let’s strive for a heart that not only follows God’s laws but also embodies His love and grace.
Day 11
Mathew:5:43-48 (Day-11)
Lent is a time of deep reflection, repentance, and transformation. This passage challenges us to move beyond the natural human tendency to love only those who love us. Jesus calls us to a radical love—one that extends even to our enemies.
Loving our enemies and praying for those who hurt us is not easy. It requires humility, forgiveness, and a heart transformed by God’s grace. Jesus himself exemplified this love on the cross, praying for those who crucified him. During Lent, we are invited to examine our hearts. Are there people we struggle to love? Are we holding onto grudges or resentment? Jesus calls us to imitate God’s perfect love, which is not conditional or selective.
To love as God loves means to see others—friends and enemies alike—as His children, worthy of mercy and grace. This Lent, let us strive to love beyond our comfort zones, pray for those who challenge us, and seek the perfection of love that Christ calls us to.
Day 12
Luke:9:28-36 (Day-12)
Today’s gospel is about the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain, where Peter, James, and John witness Christ’s divine glory.
Transfiguration calls for 3things:
1. A Call to Prayer and Transformation
Jesus takes His disciples up the mountain to pray. Lent is a time of deeper prayer, where we ascend spiritually, seeking to encounter God. Just as the disciples see Jesus in a new light, Lent invites us to be transformed—shedding sin and growing in holiness.
2. Facing the Cross with Strength
Moses and Elijah speak of Jesus’ coming suffering. This reminds us that Lent is a journey toward the Cross, where we contemplate Christ’s sacrifice and prepare our hearts for Easter.
3. Descending to Serve
The disciples cannot remain on the mountain; they must return to their mission. Likewise, our Lenten journey is not just about personal growth but about carrying Christ’s light into the world through love and service.
May this holy Season of Lent be a time of true transfiguration, drawing us closer to Christ and preparing us for the joy of His Resurrection.
Day 13
Luke10:1-12,17-20 (Day-13)
During Lent, we journey with Christ, preparing our hearts for His passion, death, and resurrection. In the gospel, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples ahead of Him, instructing them to proclaim peace, heal the sick, and declare that “the kingdom of God has come near” (v. 9). This reminds us that Lent is not just a time of personal reflection but also a call to go forth and live out the Gospel.
Jesus warns them that they will face rejection, yet they are to shake the dust off their feet and move forward. This is a lesson for us—sometimes, our faith will not be welcomed, yet we are called to remain faithful, trusting that God is at work.
When the disciples return, rejoicing that even demons submitted to them, Jesus reminds them that their greatest joy should not be in power but in the fact that their “names are written in heaven” (v. 20). Lent invites us to examine where we find our joy. Is it in earthly success or in the eternal life Christ offers?
This passage encourages us to trust in God’s provision, remain steadfast in our mission, and find true joy in our relationship with Christ. As we fast, pray, and give this Lent, let us also remember that we are sent out to proclaim God’s love in word and action.
Day 14
Mathew:23:1-12 (Day-14)
In the gospel Jesus warns against hypocrisy, particularly among the religious leaders of His time—the scribes and Pharisees. He criticizes their tendency to place heavy burdens on others while failing to live by those same standards. Instead of seeking humility and service, they desire recognition, honor, and status.
During Lent, this message calls us to examine our own hearts. Are we living with integrity? Do our actions reflect true humility and service, or are we more concerned with appearances? Jesus teaches that the greatest among us is the one who serves, and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
As we journey through Lent, let us focus on sincere faith, humility, and a spirit of service. May we seek not recognition but a deeper relationship with God, living out our faith with love and authenticity.
Day 15
Mathew:1:16, 18-21,24 ( Day -15)
Solemnity of St. Joseph
Today we celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. He is a great example for all of us because of his humility, silence and courage.
Humility – Putting others first: Do you know what is the whole idea of Humility? It simply means thinking of others before yourself. He was a humble man. He never thought of himself as the most important. How can we practice this virtue of St. Joseph in our lives:
*Helping the needy and the poor.
*Sharing our talent and gifts with our friends and others.
*Always say thank you and appreciating what we have.
Silence- Listening to God and others: St. Joseph never speaks a single word in the Bible, but his actions show his love and trust in God. He listened to God in his heart and obeyed, even when things were difficult. How can we be silent like St. Joseph:
*Praying quietly and listening to God in our hearts.
*Thinking before we speak, so we say kind words.
*Spending time with Jesus and our dear ones.
Courage- Trusting in God’s Plan: St. Joseph showed great courage when the angel told him to take Mary and baby Jesus to Egypt. He didn’t complain or get scared; he just trusted God and protected his family. How can we brave like St. Joseph:
*Doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.
*Trusting in God when we are afraid.
*Standing up for others when they need help.
J – Just and righteous, always doing God’s will.
O – Obedient to God’s plans, even in uncertainty.
S– Silent but strong, leading with actions more than words.
E– Example of faith, humility, and hard work.
P – Protector of the Holy Family and all in need.
H– Humble servant, trusting fully in God’s guidance.
Day 16
Luke:16:19-31 (Day-16)
During Lent, we are called to examine our hearts, repent, and realign our lives with God’s will. The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus challenges us to reflect on our attitudes toward wealth, suffering, and compassion.
Jesus presents a stark contrast: a rich man who lives in luxury and a poor man, Lazarus, who suffers outside his gate. The rich man is not condemned for being wealthy but for his indifference to Lazarus’ suffering. Do we notice those in need around us, or do we, like the rich man, live in self-indulgence while ignoring their pain?
The rich man begs for Lazarus to warn his family, but Abraham replies that they have Moses and the prophets. This emphasizes that God has already given us what we need—His Word. Do we heed Scripture’s call to love, serve, and repent, or do we wait for dramatic signs?
The gospel urges us to open our eyes to suffering, practice mercy, and use what we have to serve others. During Lent, let us fast not only from food but also from indifference, choosing instead to be generous and compassionate, preparing our hearts for the hope of Easter.
Day 17
Mathew:21:33-43,45-46 (Day-17)
This passage, often called the Parable of the Wicked Tenants.
God’s Generosity and Patience:
The landowner provides everything the tenants need to thrive. Likewise, God has given us countless blessings—our lives, faith, and opportunities for growth. Yet, like the tenants, we can take these gifts for granted or misuse them. Lent invites us to reflect: Are we grateful stewards of God’s gifts? Lent calls us to humility and repentance, to acknowledge where we have resisted God’s will and turn back to Him. As we journey through Lent, let us turn away from selfishness and toward a deeper relationship with Jesus, the cornerstone of our salvation.
Day 18
Luke:15:1-3,11-32 (Day-18)
Lent is a time of turning back to God, much like the prodigal son who realizes his need for his father’s love. At times, we, too, stray—whether through sin, neglect, or choosing worldly distractions over our relationship with God. Like the son in the story, we may find ourselves spiritually empty, longing for something more. But the heart of this parable is not just about human failure; it is about divine mercy. The father’s response is not anger or punishment but unconditional love. He runs to embrace his lost son, celebrating his return. This is how God welcomes us when we repent. No matter how far we have wandered, His mercy is greater.
Lenten Challenge:
• In what ways do I need to return to God this Lent?
• Do I truly believe in and accept God’s mercy for myself?
• Am I willing to extend that same mercy to others?
Day 19
Luke:13:1-9 Day-19)
The parable of the barren fig tree represents our lives when we fail to produce spiritual fruit—acts of love, kindness, and faithfulness. God, like the vineyard owner, expects us to grow and bear fruit. However, in His mercy, He grants us time to change, just as the gardener pleads for another year to nurture the tree.
Lent is that “extra year” given to us—a time to allow God’s grace to work in us so that we may bear fruit. It is a call to repentance, to examine our lives, and to cultivate our relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
The question for us this Lent is: Are we bearing fruit, or are we just taking up space? God is patient, but there will come a time of accountability. Let us not waste this season of grace. Instead, let us allow God to “dig around us and fertilize us” with His Word, Sacraments, and love, so we may grow into faithful disciples who bring life and goodness to the world.
Day 20
Luke:4:24-30 (Day-20)
In the gospel Jesus reminds the people that “no prophet is accepted in his hometown” and references how God’s blessings were extended to outsiders in the time of Elijah and Elisha. Instead of rejoicing in His message, the people become enraged and attempt to drive Him out.
During Lent, this passage challenges us to examine our own openness to God’s truth. Are there ways in which we reject Jesus because His message challenges our expectations? Do we struggle to recognize God’s work when it comes in unexpected ways or through unfamiliar people? The passage also reminds us of God’s expansive love—His mercy is not limited to a select group but reaches all people. As we journey through Lent, may we let go of pride, embrace humility, and open our hearts to God’s will, even when it challenges our comfort. How might God be calling you to greater openness and faith this Lent?
Day 21
Luke:1:26-38 (Day-21)
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord presents a beautiful moment for reflection, as it brings together the themes of divine obedience, trust, and God’s plan for salvation.
Mary’s Yes: Lent is a season of surrender and trust in God’s plan. Just as Mary surrendered herself to God’s will, we are called to do the same in our Lenten journey—whether through fasting, prayer, or acts of charity.
God’s Invitation in Our Lives: Just as God invited Mary into His plan for salvation, He invites us daily to cooperate with His grace. Are we open to His call? Do we trust Him even when we do not fully understand His plans?
Embracing Humility and Faith: Mary’s humility is a model for us. During Lent, we are invited to cultivate a heart like hers—one that is open, trusting, and willing to serve. Our fasting and sacrifices help us detach from self-reliance and grow in reliance on God.
Day 22
Mathew:5:17-19 (Day-22)
Today’s gospel passage invites us to reflect on Jesus’ relationship with the Law and how we live out God’s commandments in our daily lives. Jesus does not reject the Old Testament Law but fulfills its deepest purpose—drawing people closer to God through love, mercy, and justice.
Three Questions:
1. How do I see God’s commandments—as burdensome rules or as a path to holiness?
2. Am I truly living out the teachings of Christ, or do I sometimes ignore parts that are inconvenient?
3. How can I use this Lenten season to deepen my commitment to God’s word and teachings?
During this Lent, let us strive not just to know God’s commandments but to embody them in our actions. Through prayer, fasting, and acts of love, may we grow in obedience to God’s will and be counted among those who are “great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Day 23
Luke:11:14-23 (Day-23)
Today’s gospel challenges us to examine our hearts. Are we fully with Christ, or are we divided in our faith? It is easy to be amazed by God’s works but harder to commit wholeheartedly to Him. Sometimes, like the crowd, we may question or resist God’s work in our lives.
Lent is a time to cast out the “demons” that keep us from God—doubt, sin, distractions, or complacency. Jesus invites us to choose: Are we gathering with Him, or are we scattering? This season calls us to reaffirm our faith, trust in His power, and stand firmly on the side of Christ. How can you actively align yourself with Jesus today? What distractions or doubts do you need to surrender to Him?
Day 24
Mathew:12:28-34 (Day-24)
During Lent, we are called to examine our hearts and align ourselves with God’s kingdom. Lent is a time to acknowledge God’s work in our lives. Are there areas where we resist His power? Are we open to the Holy Spirit transforming us? Just as Jesus warns that a house divided cannot stand, we too must not be divided in our faith—half-trusting God while clinging to sin or doubt.
Lent also invites us to examine what “fruit” we are producing. Are our words filled with love, truth, and encouragement, or do they reveal bitterness, judgment, or hypocrisy? Let this Lenten season be a time of inner cleansing, where we allow the Spirit of God to drive out whatever separates us from Him. May we bear good fruit and live as true witnesses of His kingdom.
Day 25
Luke:18:9-14 (Day-25)
This parable calls us to examine our hearts and attitudes toward God and others. The Pharisee’s pride blinds him to his own need for mercy. He sees himself as superior, forgetting that righteousness comes not from our own deeds but from God’s grace. The tax collector, however, embodies the true spirit of Lent—humility, repentance, and a deep awareness of his sinfulness.
Humility Over Pride: Lent is a time to recognize our own shortcomings rather than point out the faults of others. Are we more like the Pharisee, confident in our spiritual practices, or like the tax collector, aware of our need for God’s mercy?
True Repentance: The tax collector’s prayer, short but sincere, is a model of true repentance. As we journey through Lent, how often do we pause to sincerely acknowledge our sins and seek God’s forgiveness?
God’s Response to Humility: Jesus concludes that the humble tax collector goes home justified rather than the self-righteous Pharisee. This reminds us that God exalts the humble and brings low the proud.
Day 26
Luke:15:1-3,11-32 (Day-26)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son, is a powerful story of repentance, forgiveness, and unconditional love. As we journey through Lent, this parable challenges us to examine our own hearts through the perspectives of the three main characters: the younger son, the elder son, and the merciful father.
The Younger Son: A Journey from Rebellion to Repentance
The younger son embodies human weakness—selfishness, impulsiveness, and the desire for independence. During Lent, we often confront our own “younger son” moments—times when we have strayed from God, seeking fulfillment in worldly desires. The son’s decision to return home reflects the Lenten call to repentance. His confession, “I have sinned against heaven and before you,” (Luke 15:21) invites us to humble ourselves, acknowledging our need for God’s mercy.
The Elder Son: The Challenge of Self-Righteousness
The elder son represents those who are faithful yet harbor resentment and self-righteousness. Lent calls us to reflect on our own attitudes toward forgiveness. Are we holding grudges, or are we willing to welcome back those who have hurt us? The elder son’s struggle challenges us to let go of pride and embrace God’s generous grace.
The Merciful Father: The Image of God’s Unconditional Love
The father’s response to his wayward son is nothing short of astonishing. Running to embrace his son, he disregards cultural norms, prioritizing love over dignity. His actions reflect God’s boundless mercy—always ready to welcome us back, no matter how far we have wandered.
During Lent, the father invites us to both receive and reflect God’s forgiveness. Are we willing to forgive as the father does, or do we cling to past hurts? Can we accept God’s forgiveness without feeling unworthy or resentful of His mercy toward others?
Day 27
John:4:43-54 (Day-27)
In the gospel, the official, desperate and humble, seeks Jesus’ help. Jesus tells him, “Go; your son will live” (John 4:50), and the man believes without seeing immediate proof. Later, he learns that his son was healed at the exact moment Jesus spoke.
This story challenges us to examine our faith during Lent. The royal official moves from desperation to faith, trusting Jesus’ word before seeing results. In our Lenten journey, we are called to deepen our faith, trusting in God’s promises even when we cannot see the outcome.
Sometimes, like the official, we come to God only when we are desperate. Lent invites us to transform that crisis-driven faith into a consistent, trusting relationship. The official’s belief was not based on signs but on Jesus’ word—an example of true faith.
Day 28
John:5:1-3,5-16 (Day-28)
During Lent, we reflect on our own spiritual paralysis—those places where we feel stuck, helpless, or hopeless. Sometimes we, too, wait for an external change or miracle while Jesus is offering healing directly to our hearts. This passage invites us to consider how Jesus sees beyond our excuses and offers us freedom from whatever binds us.
Are we sometimes like the Pharisees—so focused on rules or traditions that we miss the grace of God at work? Or are we like the man, lying at the pool’s edge, resigned to our struggles without realizing that Jesus is already there, offering healing?
Lent calls us to examine our lives and to let go of the burdens that keep us from walking in newness. Jesus invites us to rise from our places of stagnation, to carry our stories with us, and to walk freely into the life He offers. As we journey through Lent, may we not only seek healing but also embrace the freedom that comes with truly encountering Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath and the healer of hearts.
Day 29
2024
❤️ “Eat whatever you want for Easter, the sacrifice is not in the stomach, but in the heart. They refrain from eating meat, but don’t talk to their siblings or relatives, don’t visit their parents or bother them to attend to them. Don’t share food with the needy, forbid children to see their father, forbid grandparents to see their grandchildren, criticize other people’s lives, beat their wife, etc.. A good barbeque or beef stew won’t make you a bad person, just like a fish fillet won’t turn you a saint. Better seek to have a deeper relationship with God through better treatment of others 🙏🏻 Let’s be less arrogant and more humble at heart. ❤️ ✝️Pope Francis ✝️
❤️ “Eat whatever you want for Easter, the sacrifice is not in the stomach, but in the heart. They refrain from eating meat, but don’t talk to their siblings or relatives, don’t visit their parents or bother them to attend to them. Don’t share food with the needy, forbid children to see their father, forbid grandparents to see their grandchildren, criticize other people’s lives, beat their wife, etc.. A good barbeque or beef stew won’t make you a bad person, just like a fish fillet won’t turn you a saint. Better seek to have a deeper relationship with God through better treatment of others 🙏🏻 Let’s be less arrogant and more humble at heart. ❤️ ✝️Pope Francis ✝️
Lent is to be concrete, the first step is to desire to open our eyes to reality. The cry of so many of our oppressed brothers and sisters rises to heaven. Let us ask ourselves: Do we hear that cry? Does it trouble us? Does it move us?
Pope Francis
During these weeks of Lent, let us make space for the prayer of silent adoration, in which we experience the presence of the Lord like Moses, like Elijah, like Mary, like Jesus.”
“Let us not be afraid to strip ourselves of worldly trappings and return to the heart, to what is essential,” he said.
Pope Francis reflected on Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew: “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret” (Matthew 6:4).
He quoted advice from St. Anselm of Canterbury, an 11th-century Benedictine monk and doctor of the Church, who wrote in 1078: “Escape from your everyday business for a short while; hide for a moment from your restless thoughts. Break off from your cares and troubles and be less concerned about your tasks and labors. Make a little time for God and rest a while in him. Enter into your mind’s inner chamber. Shut out everything but God and whatever helps you to seek him; and when you have shut the door, look for him. Speak now to God and say with your whole heart: I seek your face; your face, O Lord, I desire.”
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Day 40 Palm Sunday
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter
Peace be to you!
According to an ancient Russian Orthodox tradition, the day before Easter was devoted to telling jokes. Priests would join the people in telling their best jokes to one another. The reason was to reflect the joke, God pulled on the devil in the Resurrection. Satan thought he had won on Friday, but God had the last laugh on Easter Sunday. Easter is the most joyful day in the Christian year. This is the day when Christians proclaim that death is not the end. The resonance of this event, twenty centuries ago, continues to resound in the Church. Right down to our own time, even in these days of advanced communications and technology the faith of Christians is based on that same news, on the testimony of those sisters and brothers who saw firstly the empty tomb and the mysterious messengers who testified that Jesus, the Crucified, was risen. The resurrection of Christ is not the fruit of assumption or mystical experience: it is an event. Just as the sun’s rays in springtime cause the buds on the branches of the trees to sprout and open up, so the radiance that streams forth from Christ’s resurrection gives strength and meaning to every human hope, to every expectation and every plan. Hence the entire cosmos is rejoicing today, caught up in the springtime of humanity, which gives voice to creation’s silent hymn of praise.
The Easter Sunday invites us to seek the things of light, things that are noble, true, just and things that glorify God. We must seek heavenly things by living like free people and citizens of heaven. The resurrection is a cosmic event, which includes heaven and earth and links them together. It is God’s definitive answer to death. Through Resurrection, God has conquered both sin and death. It is the Risen Jesus Christ who grants us peace. It is He who gives Himself to us in the Eucharist. He forgives us our sins in the Sacrament of Confession and speaks to us through the Sacred Scriptures and through His Church. It is He, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life and He says to us what He said to the Apostles on the First Easter: Peace be to you. It is I. Do not be afraid! (John 20: 19-23).
Easter gives us the guarantee of our own resurrection. Jesus assured Martha at the tomb of Lazarus: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me will live even though he dies” (Jn 11:25-26). Easter is a feast which gives us hope and encouragement in this world of pain, sorrows and tears. It reminds us that life is worth living. It also gives us strength to fight against temptations and freedom from unnecessary worries and fears. Risen Christ invites us to become transparent Christians, radiating the Risen Lord around us in the form of selfless and sacrificial agape love, mercy, compassion, and a spirit of humble service. The risen Christ is journeying ahead of us towards the new heavens and the new earth (Rev 21:1), in which we shall all finally live as one family, as sons of the same Father. He is with us until the end of time. Let us walk behind him, in this wounded world, singing Alleluia. In our hearts there is joy and sorrow, on our faces there are smiles and tears. Let us faithfully carrying out our task in this world with our eyes fixed on heaven.
Happy Easter to all my dear brothers and sisters!
