Lent makes us choose our alliance publicly (a sharing by Jane Foo, Singapore)

Without the support from church friends, it definitely has been harder to keep up my aims this Lent, and also harder to stay close to God. This year, I decided to give up two things: buses and coffee. This means I take a half an hour journey to and from school by foot each day, and not rely on coffee to keep me going in the day. During the walks, I try to spend time with God, or just reflect on the day/life in general with a Christian perspective. The alone time has made me very much more aware of how God is present in school, and lets me start classes fresh with gratitude that God has given me this chance to study here.

More significantly, these two commitments have exposed my religious side to my friends, who are mostly freethinkers, even if they come from Christian families. I explain why I'm not taking the bus or not having coffee when my friends ask me, and this makes me feel vulnerable and sometimes even like I'm being judged for being 'so religious'. Fortunately, no one I've met has strong opinions about these matters. However, I do become conscious that people around me are aware of my identity as Catholic, and might consider that the next time I react in a situation or make a decision. Even if they don't, my self-consciousness reminds me that I call myself Christian because God loves me and I want to love Him too.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 44): Our conversion will show through our actions

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. - John 13:12-17

It seems fitting to end Lent with the last thing Jesus did at His final meal with His apostles. He could have given a speech to remind them of His key teachings. Instead, He did what none of His friends expected - He washed their feet. I am convinced that the results of Lent will shine through us most powerfully through our actions. If we are unable to love others more around us, if we are unable to serve even those below us with wholehearted sincerity, then we haven't learnt fully the extent of God's forgiveness and love for us.

And so as we end Lent, I pray that we will reflect on the coming three or four days, when we commemorate Jesus' Passion, suffering, death with true remorse, so that we will in turn rise with Him on the anticipated Easter Sunday, emerging a new being.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 43): How much does it take?

One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him. - Matthew 26:14-16

How much does it take for you to turn away from God? More sleep? More money? Popularity? Serious reflection throughout the past 40-odd days would give us a serious answer. If you still don't know how much it takes for you to turn away from God, it's time to consider: when was the last time I sinned? What was the prize offered to me? Knowing the answer does not reconcile us to God, but it sure takes us one step closer. At least from there, we can make a commitment to never sell the real Treasure for a lower treasure.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 42): Jesus' command to help unbind

[Jesus] cried in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, here! Come out!’ The dead man came out, his feet and hands bound with bands of stuff and a cloth round his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, let him go free.’ - John 11:43-44

Nobody is beyond help, especially if we consider what Jesus can do. Even the worst sinners can hope in the Lord. And indeed, God can help even the worst people come back alive. But when the Lord saves these people, He also expects us to play a part. Are you willing to help unbind those the Lord has saved, and are you willing to help set him free?

Lenten Thoughts (Day 41): Do you believe that He is the Resurrection?

When Martha heard that Jesus had come she went to meet him. Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘If you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I know that, even now, whatever you ask of God, he will grant you.’ ‘Your brother’ said Jesus to her ‘will rise again ... I am the resurrection. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ - John 11:20-24,26

Martha's point makes perfect sense even from the perspective of our spiritual lives: if Jesus had been in our lives, we would not die. We 'die' because we make God absent from our lives - we should be reminded of Adam and Eve's own spiritual deaths when they first made God absent from their lives.

Yet. Jesus is the resurrection. If we wish - and it's up to us - we can rise above our sinfulness and death, and live again. Our Lord can do wonders with our honest and sincere acceptance of His help. His one question remains: "Do you believe this?"

Lenten Thoughts (Day 40): Trust and hope in Him who LOVES YOU

There was a man named Lazarus who lived in the village of Bethany with the two sisters, Mary and Martha, and he was ill. – It was the same Mary, the sister of the sick man Lazarus, who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair. The sisters sent this message to Jesus, ‘Lord, the man you love is ill.’ On receiving the message, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will end not in death but in God’s glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified.’ Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, yet when he heard that Lazarus was ill he stayed where he was for two more days before saying to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judaea.’ The disciples said, ‘Rabbi, it is not long since the Jews wanted to stone you; are you going back again?’ - John 11:1-8

It's day 40 of Lent. We're left with about four days, and we've made our commitments to change from our old ways. There would surely be some of us who have not made much real effort to living up to our commitment. At the same time, I'm sure there are many who have put in much effort, and yet cannot honestly see any change now.

I hope that if you're one of those who has put in all you've got into change, that you will keep hoping in the Lord. John's recounting of the story of Lazarus gives us much hope. Lazarus was ill, yet, although He loved him, Jesus allowed Lazarus to remain in his condition for a while. Jesus knows when the best time is make the change.

Just as Jesus loved Lazarus deeply, Jesus loves YOU deeply. And you can be sure that as long as you keep trying, Jesus will play His part to perfection. And when He makes His move, there'll be nothing that will be able to stop Him from getting to you.

Do not be afraid. Trust in the Lord and place your hope in Him who truly loves you.

Stations of the Cross - Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, You are the Almighty, yet for my sake, You gave up everything. Help me to love You by my efforts to never sin again.

Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Placed in the Tomb

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. - Matthew 27:57-60

Reflection
Joseph of Arimathea was a fine example of Jesus, giving Jesus a place in the tomb he had bought. As we go into the final days of Lent, it is a good time to ask: "Have I been generous with the Lord? He gave me His life. Have I given Him a place in my personal space? Or have I merely allowed Him attention in the public sphere where everyone can see me? Let us learn fron Joseph and be generous with the Lord.

Prayer
Lord, grant us your compassion that we may always provide for those in need.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 39): Following the example of Christ

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, to follow in his path. He committed no sin, in his speech there was no deceit; when they cursed him, he did not curse them; when he suffered, he did not threaten retribution, but committed them to the one just judge. He endured our sins in the sufferings of his body on the tree, so that we would die to our sins and live for righteousness – and by his bruises you have been healed. - 1 Peter 2

Jesus' suffering and death is not just means of our salvation. Sure, it most importantly saved us, but, as Peter says, it must also become a light on our path, an example for us to follow - to speak without deceit, to not curse, to not threaten revenge. It is by no means an easy task to live as Christ, but acknowledgement that He has empowered us will give us strength; we do not live like Christ simply by our strength, but by the strength of the One who calls us.

Stations of the Cross - Thirteenth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, Your last breath was one of loyalty and commitment. I want to turn away from sin, and be loyal and committed to You too.

Thirteenth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last. - Luke 23:44-46

Reflection
Hanging on a tree, humiliated and shamed. this was not a way for even an average human being to die. Yet, our sins have contributed to Jesus' suffering and death. May we turn away and become comfort for Him.

Prayer
Lord, grant us trust in you that when our time on earth is ended our spirits may come to you without delay.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 38): Pride stands in the way

But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

"Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. 26"I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world." - John 8:23-26

Today’s reading highlights the Pharisees' preference to remain blind to who Jesus is. Their high positions and ranks have overtaken their nothingness and this status has caused pride to grow within. Pride stands in the way of true conversion; we must humble ourselves and see that only God can give us any good thing. When we are humble, we will begin to see clearly.

Stations of the Cross - Twelfth Station: Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, even as You died, You cared for others above Yourself. Because of such great love, I am moved to not sin again.

Twelfth Station: Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. - John 19:25-27

Reflection
As Jesus was dying on the Cross, He gave His mother to his beloved disciple, and gave His beloved disciple to His mother as a son. May we look to our families today and see how Jesus has given us to each other, in order to lead each other Heaven-ward.

Prayer
Lord, grant us constancy that we may be willing to stand by those in need.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 37): The greatest becomes the least

Jesus Christ’s state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and the form of a man; and he became as men are. - Philippians 2:6-7

If Jesus, who is God Himself, can give Himself for us, why can't we, poor human beings, do the same for Him? Every time we read this, we ought to be reminded that the greatest has made Himself the least. And that should affirm us that it's ok to admit that we are little, because that's what we are.

Stations of the Cross - Eleventh Station: Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, You promised that Your words will set us free. We know that no sin is unforgiveable as long as we are truly repentant for each sin. I turn away from my sin and toward You. I vow to try not to sin again.

Eleventh Station: Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." - Luke 23: 39-43

Reflection
On our 11th station, we witness Jesus' most powerful love in the form of His assurance to the sinner who recognised his sin and recognised his powerlessness to save Himself. Once we learn to look to Him and repent fully from sin, He frees us from pain and gives us paradise - true happiness.

Prayer
Lord, grant us perseverance that we may never stop seeking you. Amen

Lenten Thoughts (Day 36): His word is truth, and the truth can set us free

‘If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free.’ They answered, ‘We are descended from Abraham and we have never been the slaves of anyone; what do you mean, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus replied: ‘I tell you most solemnly, everyone who commits sin is a slave. Now the slave’s place in the house is not assured, but the son’s place is assured. - John 8:31-37

Jesus explains how His Word is the Truth that frees us to live as His faithful disciples . How receptive and serious are we when we hear God’s Word proclaimed? Are our hearts truly open or are we disinterested and thus, continue to live in our secular ways?

Today's reflection taken from Fr Philip Heng's Reflection of the Word.

Stations of the Cross - Tenth Station: Jesus is Crucified

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, Your death gave us life. If You did not die, there would not have been a resurrection. Because You have stayed strong to die for me, I will stay strong and die to myself.

Tenth Station: Jesus is Crucified

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." - Luke 23:33-34

Reflection
Jesus defended sinners by saying we did not know what we were doing, but we can be like one of the two thieves, grow to appreciate His death for you, and acknowledge your sinfulness and be filled with gratitude for His suffering and death for you, or you could be willfully unaware of your sinfulness, and demand that the Lord works for you. What is your choice?

Prayer
Lord, grant us merciful hearts that we may bring your reconciliation and forgiveness to all.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 35): Faithfulness in the face of death

As soon as the maids had left, the two old men got up and hurried to her. "Look," they said, "the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us; give in to our desire, and lie with us. If you refuse, we will testify against you that you dismissed your maids because a young man was here with you."

"I am completely trapped," Susanna groaned. "If I yield, it will be my death; if I refuse, I cannot escape your power. Yet it is better for me to fall into your power without guilt than to sin before the Lord." Then Susanna shrieked, and the old men also shouted at her, as one of them ran to open the garden doors.

When the people in the house heard the cries from the garden, they rushed in by the side gate to see what had happened to her. At the accusations by the old men, the servants felt very much ashamed, for never had any such thing been said about Susanna.

When the people came to her husband Joakim the next day, the two wicked elders also came, fully determined to put Susanna to death ... The elders made this accusation: "As we were walking in the garden alone, this woman entered with two girls and shut the doors of the garden, dismissing the girls. A young man, who was hidden there, came and lay with her. The assembly believed them, since they were elders and judges of the people, and they condemned her to death.

But Susanna cried aloud: "O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be: you know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things with which these wicked men have charged me."
- Daniel 13:19-28, 36-37, 41b-43

This is an excerpt from a pretty long story about a woman and how two lustful men used her to cover up for their own failures. I found the story captivating, so I think it's worth reading (it's chapter 13 of the Book of Daniel).

The thing that really strikes hard is not the problem of the two elders misusing their authority, but the wholeheartedness of the woman, who would give up her life to remain faithful to the Lord: "It is better for me to fall into your power without guilt than to sin before the Lord," Susanna said. And for that she is sentenced to death.

I pray that we each learn from this powerful story, the kind of love for the Lord that stands through every obstacle, not matter how difficult.

Stations of the Cross - Ninth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, we weep for You, but You tell us to weep for ourselves. I mourn my sins and those of the world, and promise to not hurt You by my sin again.

Ninth Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time, people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" - Luke 23: 27-31

Reflection
Christ suffering was purposeful. The women wept for his impending death, yet He warns us that it is our spiritual death we should mourn over.

Prayer
Lord, grant us gentle spirits that we may comfort those who mourn.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 34): Model yourself according to God's ways

Think of God’s mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do. - Romans 12:1-2

We're less than two weeks away from the end of Lent, where we commemorate the Last Supper of the Lord. Has the last 33 days been fruitful? Paul reminds us - pleads with us - to remember God's mercy. He urges us to worship Him in a worthy fashion; he suggests that this can be done by first changing our behaviour, turning from the world's ways, and modelling ourselves according to God's ways. Of course, Lent is not the only window to do this. But this season does present a fantastic opportunity. We must grab it.

Stations of the Cross - Eighth Station: Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord God, I have no hope but You. Thank You for all You've done for me. I will bear the cross with You on this journey of faith.

Eighth Station: Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross

They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. - Mark 15:21

Reflection
We may say Simon is due no credit, since he was "pressed into service". But we must realise that pressed service is still service. And it is certainly better than no service. Sometimes, we are challenged by God to make a difference, and our response will make the difference. How will you respond?

• Love to do it, and say 'yes';
• Hate to do it, and say 'no' because you don't like to betray yourself; or
• Hate to do it, and but say 'yes' because you recognise that you're here (on earth) to serve.

Prayer
Lord, grant us willing spirits that we may be your instruments on earth.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 33): Love Him with ALL your heart

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:29-31

In this reading from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus teaches us to love God fully and wholeheartedly and to put this love into deeds of love for one another . Try to see God in the people around you, including those who are poor and needy. Then love God through them. (Reflection by Fr Philip Heng, SJ)

Stations of the Cross - Seventh Station: Jesus Bears the Cross

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, the weight of my sins is to heavy for me to bear. Yet, You came to become like me in all things but sin, and took my punishment for me. I am sorry for the times I neglected You this past day, and promise not to sin again.

Seventh Station: Jesus Bears the Cross

When the chief priests and the guards saw [Jesus] they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him." ... They cried out, "Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your king?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. - John 19:6, 15-17

Reflection
We claim we love the Lord, yet, we fail to realise that everytime we sin, we reject Him and shout in union with the chief priests: "Crucify Him!" In your sin, have you said to the world "I have no King but money" or "I have no King but fame" or "I have no King but sleep"? Imagine being one in the crowd that very day. Imagine, if you had shouted "He is my King! I have no other King but Him!" You would really end up carrying your cross... with Him. That's our challenge today - to stand in the crowd of Jesus-haters, make known your alliance, and carry your cross.

Prayer
Lord, grant us strength of purpose that we may faithfully bear our crosses each day.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 32): We can trust the Lord

"God is greater than our heart and knows everything!" - 1 John 3:20

By John's testimony, we know that God knows everything. His knowledge surpasses everything. His words and His opinion, therefore, must take precedence over our own. Now then, that means we can pray earnestly to the Lord: "What is Your will for me and my life?"

To hear what He wants, we must build the relationship with Him, with patience and persistence. It is not just about fasting or giving up things. It is keeping close in prayer, reading His Word, and discerning ways to live the Gospel.

The rise of the individual - the fall of the community

Got this from a friend at work. She took it from the blog of a Singaporean Catholic priest. Quite a good read, I think, even if you read it outside the context of Catholic Christianity, and read it as Christianity as a whole... I hope it blesses you! - Hil



“I stopped getting anything from Mass, so I stopped going X number of years ago”.

“I don’t like the kind of songs that we have in Church these days, so I refuse to sing with the others”.

“I agree with most of the teachings of the Church, but there are some which I feel are outdated and are out of touch with reality. So, I pick and choose what I want to follow. I still call myself a Catholic”.

Do any of these statements sound familiar? I am sure that no matter which part of the world you are reading this blog from, you would probably have known someone who has said/felt this way, or perhaps have found yourself thinking this way at some point in time. Why do we think this way? What is the Church’s view of this mentality that seems to be rather prevalent amongst the faithful? Is there something not quite right with the Church, or could it be that we are not quite ‘getting it’ as the jargon of the younger generation tends to put it?

French philosopher Rene Descartes who lived in the early 17th century is hailed as the “Father of modern philosophy”. The ‘individualistic’ revolution is generally attributed to his thought of ‘cogito ergo sum’ or ‘I think therefore I am’. It made the world sit up and believe, erroneously, of course, that the “I” is what everything should revolve around. So, as long as “I” am not pleased, if “I” am not made to feel interested, or if “I” am not entertained or feeling good, whatever it is that I am doing would not serve me well in the long run. This philosophy has its spill over effects into so many areas of our lives, religion and faith not withstanding. And it is because of this mentality that many (not just the young) think that even religion and God needs to serve them.

When the “I” becomes the dominant subject, it is expected that everything should revolve around the self. And one doesn’t have to be a king or an emperor to have this kind of thought process. Even to a simple person with basic education, this kind of thought becomes the seedbed of a problematic society. One begins to negate the need to respect elders, neighbours, and the larger society.

When this is brought to the realm of faith, the problem persists. When God and God’s Will should be what everything and everyone revolves around, we become rightly ordered. But many think that the self should be what everything revolves around. So, when I am not longer finding it interesting to participate at Mass, or when rites and ritual ceases to keep me engaged, or when Church laws (which are expressions of God’s will and guidance) make MY life difficult and inconvenient, I will abandon them. We become dis-ordered.

But is it really all about the “I”? Perhaps we need something like a Copernican revolution, to look at things anew. It’s really not we who the world should be revolving around, and it has always been God’s invitation to invite us into his ambit of love and grace. It’s not ours to call the shots in life, but only to respond with grateful hearts.

Once we come to that true enlightenment, we may be able to change our original self-centered stand on Church, and re-think our original thoughts. Maybe then, we can hear ourselves say: “Even though I may not be getting anything from Mass, even though the hymns aren’t lively, even though I may view some of the Church laws as archaic and infringing on my individual freedom, I still go to Mass, still sing hymns, and still abide by Church laws. Because it’s really not about me.”

Stations of the Cross - Sixth Station: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, every time I sin, I strike you again. You endured all for me, yet I keep scourging you. Your commitment to love me spurs me on to loving You back.

Sixth Station: Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said,"Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck him repeatedly. - John 19:1-3

Reflection
Isn't it true that people mock our faith often? If it isn't the blatant insult, it's the sarcastic remark like "ooh, you're trying to be oh-so-holy-moley". What is our reaction when we get insulted like that? Is it self-righteous, ego-driven anger? Is it a cowardly backing out? It should not be either of these, but, following the steps of our Lord, we must bear those insults, and never back down, as if to say to those who hate our faith, "you're right, faith in God is pointless".

Prayer
Lord, grant us patience in times of suffering that we may offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 31): Jesus pays attention to you... Do you do the same for Him?

"And as he [Jesus] was setting out on his journey," recounts the Gospel of St. Mark, "a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother." And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions" - Mark 10:17-22

This account expresses effectively Jesus' great attention to ... your expectations, your hopes, and shows how great his desire is to meet with you personally and open a dialogue with each one of you. In fact, Christ interrupts his journey to respond to his interlocutor's question, manifesting full availability to that young man, who was moved by an ardent desire to speak with the "good Teacher," to learn from him how to follow the way of life. (Taken from Pope Benedict XVI's World Youth Day Message). As we can see easily, Christ wants to speak to us on a personal level. But are we willing to listen?

Stations of the Cross - Fifth Station: Jesus is Judged by Pilate

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination of conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, too many times have I put own own rules over Yours. I am so sorry I have turned against Your ways, which lead to Heaven. And I'm sorry I have followed my own way so often, which leads nowhere. I want to listen to Your way, and follow it whole-heartedly.

Fifth Station: Jesus is Judged by Pilate

The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of." Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.... Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barrabas... [and] handed [Jesus] over to be crucified. - Mark 15: 1-5, 15

Reflection
Often, when we are pressured, we allow wrong to take precedence over good. Rather than standing up for what's right, we'd rather lay back and accept the evil that happens around us. A true appreciation for Christ's suffering for righteousness must lead us to a willingness to stand up for what is right.

Prayer
Lord, grant us discernment that we may see as you see, not as the world sees.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 30): Let's not take God's patience for granted...

“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” - Luke 13:6-9

In this Gospel passage, Christ recounts the parable of the fig tree that does not bear fruit, which shows the necessity and the urgency of returning to God, the renewal of life according to God’s will.

Pope Benedict XVI observed when preaching this Gospel text: "The dialogue that develops between the owner and the gardener manifests, on one hand, God’s mercy, which is patient and allows man, all of us, time for conversion; and, on the other hand, the necessity of immediately making the interior and exterior changes of life so as not to lose the opportunities that God’s mercy offers us to overcome our spiritual laziness and to return God’s love with our filial love."

Stations of the Cross - Fourth Station: Jesus is Denied by Peter

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination on conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, I'm sorry for all the times I have chosen to live in the realm of dishonesty. In spite of my untruthfulness, You willingly died for me. I promise to be honest with You and with myself from now on.

Fourth Station: Jesus is Denied by Peter

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about!" As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazorean." Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man!" A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away." At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly. - Matthew 26:69-75

Reflection
When was the last time you denied Jesus? If you spent a couple of minutes reflecting on the last 24 hours, you might realise, it might have been pretty recent. It is often easy to judge Peter, just as it is often easy to judge Judas. But every time we sin, we deny Him. the difference with Peter is that when he had realised his sin, he remembered. And he wept bitterly. That made the difference. Repentance goes a long way in reunion. What have you not yet repented of?

Prayer
Lord, grant us the gift of honesty that we may not fear to speak the truth even when difficult.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 29): Remember where you came from?

As a father cares for his children, so the Lord cares for those who fear him.
The Lord is compassion and kindness, full of patience, full of mercy.
He will not fight against you for ever:
he will not always be angry.
He does not treat us as our sins deserve;
he does not pay us back for our wrongdoing.
As high as the sky above the earth,
so great is his kindness to those who fear him.
As far as east is from west,
so far he has put our wrongdoing from us.
As a father cares for his children,
so the Lord cares for those who fear him.
For he knows how we are made,
he remembers we are nothing but dust.
Man – his life is like grass,
he blossoms and withers like flowers of the field.
The wind blows and carries him away:
no trace of him remains.
- Psalm 102 (103)

We have reason to be thankful that God never forgets we are mere human; we, limited human beings, would be no match against a God who has no limits. "He remembers we are nothing but dust". Do we remember that? If we do, we are a step closer to understanding what really matters.

Stations of the Cross - Third station: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination on conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
You gently call me, and I keep listening to myself. I don't want to hurt another person again. Help my ears hear your voice, and help my heart to listen.

Third Station: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

"When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us," but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth." - Luke 22: 66-71

Reflection:
The scribes ask Jesus for His identity, yet, even in the face of clear evidence, they would not acknowledge Him. Have we been quick to call Him Lord, only to behave in a completely different way? We must not keep the same attitude toward the Lord. If we do, what's the use of asking God for answers or for help?

Prayer:
Lord, grant us your sense of righteousness that we may never cease to work to bring about the justice of the kingdom that you promised.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 28): Gratitude

"Give thanks to the Lord, for his love is for ever.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his love is for ever.
Give thanks to the God of gods, for his love is for ever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his love is for ever.
He alone works wonders, for his love is for ever.
In his wisdom he made the heavens, for his love is for ever.
He set the Earth upon the waters, for his love is for ever.
He created the great lights, for his love is for ever.
The sun, to rule over the day, for his love is for ever.
The moon and stars, to rule over the night, for his love is for ever."
- Psalm 135 (136)

Have you put into deep thought the multitude of things He has done for you? Take some time to think. If we are truly thankful for the things He has done, it becomes a little easier to fast for Him, to pray to Him, and read His words, and to pass on the goodness to those around us. Time to put on an attitude of gratitude.

Stations of the Cross - Second station: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination on conscience
Please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
Lord, time and time again, I add to the load of the cross you carry for me. Left on my own, I would not have been able to bear the weight of my own sins, let alone those of the whole world. Out of gratitude and love for you, I promise not to sin again.

Second Station: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested

Then, while [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, "the man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely." He came and immediately went over to him and said, "Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. - Mark 14: 43-46

Reflection
The temptation is to look at Judas with anger and bitterness. But it's more important to see ourselves in the betrayer's place. We too, too often betray Jesus, quite freely too. We allow outside circumstances and our preferences arrest Jesus and lock Him up, just so we can have our way. And most of us try to do that in the most innocent way possible. Yet, Jesus looks at us tenderly, as He did with Judas, and simply asks, "Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

Prayer
Lord, grant us the courage of our convictions that our lives may faithfully reflect the good news you bring.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 27): They'll know we've been moved into love...

“For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here. It is all God’s work. It was God who reconciled us to himself through Christ… So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17, 19-20

We are the face of Christ. And anyone who sees us should see Christ. There’s no need to be a show-off; Paul, of course, is not telling us to parade our acts of love to get attention. Christ Himself tells us to do it in secret. But “they’ll know we are Christians by our love” – we all know that song based on John 13:35. Do we show Christ’s love to others, and introduce them to God in that way?

Think about this: at work or among non-Christian friends, do the people around you know you’re Christian? If they don’t, maybe you’re not radiating Christ enough.

Stations of the Cross - First station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

*Note for Catholics: The following stations of the cross are presented here as an alternative to the traditional stations that you would know. This alternative set ties in scripture, and serves as a way of reflecting more deeply on the Scriptural accounts of Christ's passion, for the benefit of our protestant brothers and sisters on this journey.

Examination on conscience
Before each station, please take a couple of minutes becoming aware of the things we have done to offend God in the last 24 hours.

Act of Contrition
O Lord, my Redeemer, my only way to salvation. From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for all the times I allowed myself to be drawn away from you. Because of Your love, I promise to try again, with Your help, to not sin again.

First Station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me." He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." - Matthew 26:36-41

Reflection
While we regularly doze off in our journey with Christ, He shows us true conviction in this relationship. He lowered Himself to become one of us. Yet, even knowing He was going to die for us unworthy sinners, He let His divine will take precedence over His human struggle. He said once to His disciples: "My food is to do the Father's will", and that statement was true at this moment - living would be meaningless if God was not in the picture. Do we struggle within ourselves against sin, or do we simply allow ourselves to sin and make the excuse: "Ah, I'm only human"?

Prayer
Lord, grant us your strength and wisdom, that we may seek to follow your will in all things.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 26): To love your neighbor, first love yourself

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” - Mark 12:31

This follows right on the heels of yesterday's reflection.

Love means choosing to do good whether we like it or not. To love with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength means choosing to let nothing prevent us from doing good, no matter how we might actually feel about it.

Love is not always a nice feeling. But love is always a choice that brings us into unity with the One Who Is Love.

We sin when we stumble in our treatment of others. Then, when we ask God to forgive our iniquity, we blossom spiritually like beautiful lilies and we bear good fruit.

However, we are not capable of loving others more than we love ourselves. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." Loving ourselves and doing good for ourselves to get our needs met gives us the confidence and freedom we need to do good to others, especially when life is difficult.

Low self esteem is not God's plan for you. Let him heal your wounded heart. Let him correct bad messages that have cut you down. Let him point out your goodness and giftedness. Spend time observing yourself through his eyes. Pay attention to how much he appreciates you. He sees your goodness even when you can't.

God loves you with his whole heart, his whole soul, his whole mind, and his whole strength!

Reflection taken from Good News Reflections.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 25): Love (the) One, love all

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:28-30

All of Jesus' teachings can be summed up in today's Gospel reading: "Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself." When we love God fully, we can't help but love everyone else – even the "neighbors" who make our lives difficult.

Think of the person you love the most. Is it the one who's the easiest to serve? Do you enjoy doing good deeds for him or her more than for anyone else? This generous love is a reflection of your love for God.

Now think of the person you love the least. Is it someone you refuse to serve because of how he or she has hurt you? This is also a reflection of your love – or lack of it – for God.

Jesus never said that we have to enjoy doing good to our enemies. Hey, he didn't like being whipped and manhandled and jabbed and mocked and crucified, but that didn't stop him from offering himself as a sacrifice for you and for me and for the people we dislike. Since he did that for us, we can at least do small deeds of goodness that are no fun to do?

Reflection taken from Good News Reflections.

Lenten mission: Tuning out, turning off and listening

By John Norton


Back in the late 1990s, when I was still in Rome and had just started doing some freelance writing for this newspaper, the editor at the time, David Scott, sent me a little book called “The Bottom of the Harbor.”

I’ve read it half a dozen times since, and just the other night I started it again. It is a collection of articles from The New Yorker of the 1940s and ’50s by a legendary journalist named Joseph Mitchell.

He has a remarkable eye for detail, a way of finding the interesting in the ordinary, and an ability to transport you deep into the tale he tells.

For writers like me, there’s a lot to be learned at Mitchell’s knee.

But this time I’m finding Mitchell has broader lessons to teach. In sharp contrast to our modern daily life, riddled with cell phone calls, e-mail chimes, urgency and haste, Mitchell slips some waxpaper-wrapped sandwiches in his pocket and heads out to observe, listen and learn.

Here’s how he starts one of his stories: “Every now and then, seeking to rid my mind of thoughts of death and doom, I get up early and go down to the Fulton Fish Market. ... The smokey riverbank dawn, the racket the fishmongers make, the seaweedy smell, and the sight of this plentifulness always give me a feeling of well-being, and sometimes they elate me.”

Elsewhere he talks about hiking into a swamp to look for wildflowers and birds, and spending an hour looking through binoculars at a woodpecker tearing the bark off the top of a dead tree — later describing it as one of the most spectacular events he ever witnessed.

I find it difficult to imagine having an hour alone to spend watching a bird pulling on bark. While I still have young children at home, it very likely won’t happen.

But that’s not the point. While Mitchell doesn’t talk about such experiences in explicitly religious terms, there’s something about that patient listening and watching that reminds me of the sort of prayer we should be practicing on a daily basis, and which Lent gives another opportunity to cultivate.

Sure, Mitchell lived in different times with fewer media distractions. Maybe it was easier to slow down and observe. Some of our older readers could probably weigh in on whether that’s really true.

Either way, it is a reminder that we need to make a conscious effort to quiet ourselves so we can hear God — whether he speaks to us when we’re deep in a swamp or on our knees in front of the tabernacle.

John Norton is the editor of OSV Newsweekly, a Christian publication.

Original article

Lenten Thoughts (Day 24): Going good to counter evil

"By virtuous actions break with your sins, break with your crimes by showing mercy to the poor, and so live long and peacefully." - Daniel 4:24

One of the best ways to counter our sinful ways is to do good deeds. It doesn give God more glory, but it helps to snuff the light of the devil in our lives. Are we going out of our way to improve the lives of those around us?

Connecting with the Lord

I was reading an article* on the net, and thought that it was good reading for Lent. It's written for an american audience, but parts of it makes sense for Christians as a whole. I've taken the liberty to give you a extract of the article, and I hope it edifies you:

This Lent may be a challenge to focus on what is really important, and to practice the most difficult discipline of all — a sacrificial love for others.

The three classic Lenten observances are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is here that we need to resist passivity and act boldly to put our trust in the Lord.

The goal is not just to give, but to connect. Looking into the eyes of the person in need, a person very much like us, is an act of Christian charity, for in looking into those eyes, we do not simply see ourselves, but we see Christ himself.

That is what Lent is, after all: an encounter with Christ. We meet him in prayer. We meet him in the denial of our appetites and wants. We meet him in the eyes of those around us. Lent is leading us to Easter, to the Resurrection, the message of eternal hope, the triumph of life over death and the assurance that our kingdom has already been won for us.

This Lent, may we encounter a dying to self and a rising with Christ that is at the heart of this Lenten experience.

* Lent 2010: Do we really have to get more penitential?

Lenten Thoughts (Day 23): What is keeping you from God today?

"The wicked placed a trap for me,
but I did not wander from your commandments.
Your decrees are my inheritance for ever,
they are the joy of my heart:
my heart is set on carrying them out,
for ever, until the end."
- Psalm 118 (119): 110-112

Let's set aside the next 60 seconds to think: What kind of "traps" have the world set for me today?

Even a brief reflection will provide a list of things that tempt us away from God, whether it's in school, at work or at home.

Whether or not you set the minute aside earlier, take 10 now becoming aware of the things that draw us away from God. Awareness is half the battle. But when we're not even aware of the devil's presence, how do we expect to stop him?

Lenten Thoughts (Day 22): What satisfies you?

"The disciples were urging him, ‘Rabbi, do have something to eat; but he said, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples asked one another, ‘Has someone been bringing him food?’ But Jesus said: ‘My food is to do the will of the one who sent me, and to complete his work'. - John 4:31-34

Jesus shows a great reason for giving up food. He once again is the great example to follow. The question we must ask ourselves is: when I give up food or chocolate or TV, am I feasting on the greatest thing - am I "[doing] the will" of God? Does doing God's will fill me up?

Healing, not punishment

"We must remember the original meaning of Lent, as the 'ver sacrum', the church's 'holy spring'. Lent is not, then, a season of punishment so much as one of healing." - Thomas, Merton, (1915-1968), Priest and monk

Acts of penance are pointless if God does not exist (a sharing by Alphonsus Soh, Singapore)

It’s the third week of Lent, and another 25 days from now we will be celebrating Easter. This Lenten season I decided to go running, receive Holy Eucharist every day, and fast during lunchtime.

Yes, it’s difficult to fulfill, yet, only with the help of God, I have kept my Lenten resolutions. You see, I mentioned going Mass every day; but the funny thing I encountered is that I’ve ended up asking myself: “Why do i go to church?”, “Why do I need to believe in God?”

It was a sudden change of thinking one day, but it was so dramatic that I even thought of leaving the Church and just living my life. Why did I even think this way? I had met someone who doesn’t believe in the existence of God. That person’s character, attitude and everything else about him/her, however, is so much different from people from Church. I wanted that person as my role model because that person shows politeness and humility.

After attending my monthly retreat with my community, though, I came to a realisation that God didn’t call me to be someone great, but to be faithful just like what Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta said “God did not call me to be successful but to be Faithful”.

As we draw near to Easter, may we hold fast to the weapon the Church gave to us and be faithful to Him who has never fails to be unfaithful.



Alphonsus, thanks for sharing the mini-crisis you went through. I’m glad your community retreat has helped you. I believe these periods of doubt are signs of a good Christian. It is certainly better to ask why we worship “God” and to ask if God exists than to go to every Sunday without ever questioning anything. I believe a true and honest search is every human being’s duty, and every true and honest search will lead us there. Ask, seek, knock. That’s the challenge of Christ.

There is, of course, much to day on God’s existence. It’s hard to take it that God’s followers are bad examples. But a migrane does not make a person terminally ill. In truth, the behaviour of Christians should not matter in the objective questioning His existence. Would we say that the math professor faked his degree just because his student failed every math test? In reality, there is much stronger evidence that He exists than there is evidence that He doesn’t.

It is my prayer that each Christian, or would be Christian reading your reflection will begin the quest to ask and seek. I pray that all of us be objective, and when the evidence shows itself, that we be humble to accept the grace God offers.

Please feel free to comment on Alphonsus' sharing; better yet, share with us all your journey in Lent so far - experiences, difficulties, encounters with God, etc...

Lenten Thoughts (Day 21): Are we prepared to see God?

"[Moses] led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, 'I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.' When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!' And Moses said, 'Here I am.'

'Do not come any closer,' God said. 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.' Then he said, 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.' At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God."

- Exodus 3:1b-5

Many of us would like to see God, but the same many would not deny it's hard. Sometimes we think that God does not appear to us anymore, or that He isn't really keen to show Himself to us these days. That is not true.

"God manifests himself in different ways also in each of our lives," Pope Benedict XVI said in a recent homily. For Moses, God chose to appear in a simple burning bush. For us, it could be anything from a moving bus, to a friend speaking with us or a piece of news in the papers.

Pope Benedict continued: "To recognize his presence however we must draw near to him aware of our misery and with profound respect. In any other way we would make ourselves incapable of meeting him and of entering into communion with him. As the Apostle Paul writes (1 Cor 10:11), this event too is told about for our edification: It reminds us that God does not reveal himself to those who are pervaded by sufficiency and frivolity, but to him who is poor and humble before him."

The ability to see God when He appears to us is highly dependent on our disposition. Are we poor in Spirit, and do we see ourselves truly in need of Him in our lives? Do we really want Him to appear in our lives, to be part of it and to be the King?

Fasting faster go away? (a sharing by Priscilla Chua, Singapore)

Fasting on Ash Wednesday as well as the commitment to fast every Thursday have seen me giving up dinner and going to bed hungry. So every Thursday night, I can't wait for the next day to come so that I can eat!

Reflecting on that, I realised that I have the luxury of waiting for tomorrow to come, knowing that food will be easily accessible - to cook, to snack on or just buying it from the two kopitiams (eating places) downstairs. But not everyone is able to enjoy this comfort that we take for granted.

Some poor kid elsewhere may only have the remnants from fast-food restaurants once in a while for their meals and may not even come in contact with clean water for consumption. But I've been given a chance to suffer with them during this Lenten journey, even if whatever that I'm experiencing every Thursday is nothing compared to theirs.

Prayers and the right intentions would make fasting easier to go by and I believe God will give me the grace to strengthen me during the period of dying to self. Most importantly instead of some psycho effects such as "I'm not hungry I'm not hungry", I tell myself "I'm hungry but this if for God".



Thanks Priscilla for sharing this! I'm moved that you have taken upon yourself to stay strong to this commitment especially because you find it hard. It's amazing, the will of a human being searching to unite oneself with God. Nothing binds friends together like suffering does. I hope this Lent, you've grown that much closer to God in the suffering you have experienced. God will bless the kid in the street because He sees how you have lifted up your pains in union with those of the poor. You make so much sense when you say it's not about bluffing yourself psychologically (telling yourself that you're not hungry), but it's offering up the hunger to the Lord. God bless you the way He has blessed us all through your words!

Everyone else, do feel free to comment on Pris' sharing; better yet, share with us all your journey in Lent so far - experiences, difficulties, encounters with God, etc...

Lenten Thoughts (Day 20): Take over, Lord

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."

Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith" ... Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour. - Matthew 8:5-10,13

The acknowledgment of the centurion here is marvelled at by Christ Himself. The man of influence understands what it's like to be a commander, a leader; yet he knows his limitations, and here readily gives Jesus the authority to take over.

Many times, we try too hard to handle our own problems. Let's learn to be like the centurion. Let us put in our due efforts, and ask Jesus to take over whatever we cannot handle ourselves.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 19): Let us stand and testify

"Many Samaritans of that town had believed in him on the strength of the woman’s testimony when she said, ‘He told me all I have ever done’, so, when the Samaritans came up to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed for two days, and when he spoke to them many more came to believe; and they said to the woman, ‘Now we no longer believe because of what you told us; we have heard him ourselves and we know that he really is the saviour of the world.’" - John 4:39-42

John adds in this portion after disclosing the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman. This segment has nothing to do with the actual story, yet John found it important to add this on. Perhaps the Gospel writer was trying to highlight the woman's key role of sharing her experience.

Some of us have really tried to deny ourselves in this period. Along the way, we might have grown closer to God, or maybe even had a deep spiritual experience. As Christians who have experienced Christ one way or another, it is our duty to share with everyone we know how Jesus came to save us all. It is NOT out duty to convert - that job belongs to the Holy Spirit. But like the woman, we have the key role of introducing people to Christ.

One day, these people we reach out to, will believe based on their knowledge and experience of God, but in the mean time, they could "[believe] in him on the strength of [our] testimony" (v.39).

Lenten Thoughts (Day 18): We're all prodigal, aren't we...

"Then he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger!’ … So he left the place and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to celebrate." – Luke 15:17,20-24

Sometimes when we read the parables, we begin to realise how clear Jesus was about issues of repentance and forgiveness. Here, of course, we hear Jesus talking about the prodigal son. “Prodigal”, of course, means wasteful, or refers to someone who is spendthrift; but it also means “giving profusely”, or “yielding profusely”.

Jesus describes an ingrate who basically implies his desire for his father to die (that’s what you imply when you asked for your inheritance in those days… and quite frankly, today as well!). When the young man squanders everything, he suddenly realises that he needs his father.

There’s no need to tell the story again. But the father not only ran to his son in a hurry. He was in a hurry to forgive him. The father was in no mood to be calculative to think “You’ve lost all the money I gave you, and now you conveniently come back”, or to think that his son could one day again, ask for another sum of money. The father, I think, was quite prodigal himself.

That’s the way God our Father is. As long as we “come to [our] senses”, and return wholeheartedly to Him, He’s doesn't calculate all the wrong we’ve done. In fact, He stands at the window everyday looking out for those who have asked Him to bless them abundantly, only to run away with all the riches. He hopes for their return one day. And He looks for one thing, repentance. There is nothing God asks for apart from this: 100% repentance yields 100% forgiveness – so great is the Father’s love that He has put forgiveness in our hands.

God our Father is the most prodigal of us all. He wastes His love on us even though we have taken His love for granted. In fact, our Father even sends our older brother to come and find us. It doesn't get anymore prodigal than that! Let’s learn to be like the young son, who comes to his senses, and returns to God. Then, when we commemorate the resurrection of His greatest Gift come Easter, we can truly be like the family in the parable, and begin to celebrate our new life - "this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found" (Luke 15:24).

Lenten Thoughts (Day 17): Do you suffer spiritual dehydration?

‘Whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again; but anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again: the water that I shall give will turn into a spring inside him, welling up to eternal life.’

‘Sir,’ said the woman ‘give me some of that water, so that I may never get thirsty and never have to come here again to draw water.’

- John 4:13-15

I have heard sometime when I was much much younger that a regular human being can survive for weeks without food, but not without water. This would sure be the same with the spiritual life. We all know that our physical bodies would not survive without H20, yet many of us somehow seem to be too easily convinced that our spiritual lives need no water.

Are you thirsting spiritually? Are we suffering from spiritual dehydration? Have you sought out the Wellspring of Life? This period of self-denial gives us the perfect opportunity, not to inject ourselves with a 40-day holiness, but to kick-start (or re-ignite) a most important relationship.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 16): Self denial

"Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" - Luke 9:23-25

Christ affirms that the way to follow Him is to forgo ourselves. This makes perfect sense, especially if we understand that our ways are not Gods ways (Isaiah 55:8). The way to goodness is to live like the One who is Goodness itself. Yet, our culture tells us otherwise, in so many ways. For the times we have "forfeited" our selves for the gains the world offers, let us truly turn back to God and commit to learning His ways, by means of our self denial this season.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 15): So what if we knew the end of the story?

"Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the way he took the Twelve to one side and said to them, 'Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the pagans to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise again.'" - Matthew 20:17-19

Jesus predicts His death and resurrection before it happens. Given the behaviour of His enemies, it couldn't be hard to believe that death was not far away from Jesus, but the astonishing thing is how Jesus also predicts His own resurrection; not only that, He even predicts when He would be raised back to life. If everything He ever said created doubts, this biggest of predictions promises surely would put His words beyond any doubt about His claims - His claims that He is God the Son, that He loves us, and that He has prepared a place for us in Heaven, and is ready to welcome us if we follow Him.

The reason we can celebrate Lent is because we know the story ends in glory. All suffering, in fact, can end in glory.

Unlike the disciples who had to listen to all this before Jesus actually rose from the dead (as He predicted promised), we know the story, and we know how the story ends. What then is keeping us from living our lives wholeheartedly for Him?

Lenten Thoughts (Day 14): A timely reminder

"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry." - Luke 4:1-2

Dear friends, today we mark the end of the first two weeks of Lent. Have we lived out the retreat well so far? Have we truly made a conscious effort to deny ourselves of certain good things?

If some of our non-Christian friends heard what you were doing (or what you intended to do), some might say that denying oneself of pleasures is a silly thing, even for a Christian, for if "God" gave those good things, surely we are meant to enjoy it.

Yet, if Jesus went into the desert for 40 days, not just by His choice, but "driven by the Spirit", then He must have shown us that a journey of self-denial, a period of suffering by choice, is not somethin silly. In fact, it is something good to be done.

Pope Benedict XVI shared last week at an address that "Lent is a long 'retreat', during which we return to ourselves and listen to God's voice to overcome the temptations of the Evil One and find the truth of our being. It is a time, we could say, of spiritual 'contest' to live together with Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the weapons of faith, that is, prayer, listening to God's Word and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our baptism." A timely reminder about our whole purpose for journeying together, don't you think?

Lenten Thoughts (Day 13): Nothing matters more...

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him." - Philippians 3:7-9a

Paul tells his converts that he has given up all earthly things for the sake of the Christian faith and promise. Later (vv12-14), he admits he is far from perfect but he continues to press forward on the road to heaven. As we give up little pleasures in life during this period, may we learn the attitude that all things here will pass away, and thus be able to treat nothing as more important than our life with God.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 12): Love one, love all

"But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’" - Matthew 5:43-48

The ability to love is a gift granted by God. If we are able to love someone who loves us, then we are able to love anyone. If Jesus makes it plain that we are to love even our enemies, then we can be sure that we already have the ability. If our love is not based on feelings, then we can choose to love all, just as God's love is for all.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 11): If we obey

‘You have today made this declaration about the Lord: that he will be your God, but only if you follow his ways, keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and listen to his voice. And the Lord has today made this declaration about you: that you will be his very own people as he promised you, but only if you keep all his commandments; then for praise and renown and honour he will set you high above all the nations he has made, and you will be a people consecrated to the Lord, as he promised.’ - Deuteronomy 26:16-19

The Lord's commandments are set to guide our path toward Him in Heaven. When we break those guides we fail to live as His children. May we constantly be aware when we fail to walk by the path God has set for us, and constantly get back on track.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 10): Noisy intruders?

The word of the Lord was addressed a second time to Jonah: ‘Up!’ he said ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told you to.’ Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was a city great beyond compare: it took three days to cross it. Jonah went on into the city, making a day’s journey. He preached in these words, ‘Only forty days more and Nineveh is going to be destroyed.’ And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. The news reached the king of Nineveh, who rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes. A proclamation was then promulgated throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his ministers, as follows: ‘Men and beasts, herds and flocks, are to taste nothing; they must not eat, they must not drink water. All are to put on sackcloth and call on God with all their might; and let everyone renounce his evil behaviour and the wicked things he has done. Who knows if God will not change his mind and relent, if he will not renounce his burning wrath, so that we do not perish?’ God saw their efforts to renounce their evil behaviour, and God relented: he did not inflict on them the disaster which he had threatened. - Jonah 3:1-10

An outsider in a foreign land pointing out the locals' evils will certainly not be welcomed, but here, Jonah is accepted. Surprisingly, his prophetic words are heeded.

How often in our lives did an outsider point to the obvious? What kind of reception do we give to peoples' criticisms, especially those we consider enemies?

Therapy can be very difficult at times. Advice from friends and family can be stinging. Pride and ego want no part of this correction. I want to believe that I know all that I need to know, but of course I don't. An outsiders' perspective can literally be a life-saving one.

This season of penitence and repentance, let us all be more attentive and more receptive to criticism from others. Give me a little nudge, Lord, to listen and heed when others offer me sound advice.

Re-written from My Daily Visitor.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 9): Mourning to dancing

"The young girl will dance for joy, young men and old men too. 'I will turn their weeping into gladness,' says the Lord,

'I will comfort them and give them joy after sorrow'." - Jeremiah 31:13

As we deny ourselves, may we experience true happiness and fullness of joy when we celebrate the Lord's resurrection.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 8): In fear and trembling

"Work for your salvation in fear and trembling, for it is God, for his own loving purpose, who puts both the will and the action into you. Do all that has to be done without complaining or arguing and then you will be innocent and genuine, you will be children of God." - Philippians 2:12-15

Paul reminds us plainly not to take God's love, mercy and forgiveness for granted. May we work tirelessly in building this relationship we have with our Saviour, who has given us the strength necessary to see through these 40 days.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 7): Remember who you are

The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into a loaf.’
Jesus replied, ‘Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone.’

The devil showed him in a moment of time all the kingdoms of the world and said to him, ‘I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, for it has been committed to me and I give it to anyone I choose. Worship me, then, and it shall all be yours.’
Jesus answered him, ‘Scripture says: You must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.’

‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said to Him, ‘throw yourself down from here, for scripture says:
He will put his angels in charge of you to guard you, and again: They will hold you up on their hands in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’
Jesus answered him, ‘It has been said: You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’

Having exhausted all these ways of tempting him, the devil left him, to return at the appointed time.

- Luke 4:1-13 (abstract)

The devil constantly challenges our identity as God's children.

In Luke's story of the temptations of Christ, we realise that Christ lowered Himself so much that He suffered temptation. Yet, in His hunger and time of need, He was always sure of who He was. Jesus relied on His relationship with His Father, the devil could not break the will of the Son.

The first week of Lent is almost out. Have we used the first seven days well? Being part of the agreement is only the beginning.

Satan has no right to control our lives; he is in no position to say "If you are God's son, you should do this", or "if you are God's daughter, you should do that".

This penitential season, may we stay awake and remain alert to the devil's temptations. Let us always remember our identity as God's children, and never let the temptor deceive us out of our true identity.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 6): Out of love, not routine

"During this season we are invited to establish or rebuild our pieties and devotions: more focused prayer, more frequent celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation; praying the ancient devotion of the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross). We cannot choose a piety or devotion out of fear."
- Fr Thomas Rosica, CSB, 16 Feb (see full article)

May our Lenten actions and sacrifices be done out of a pure desire to cleanse ourselves, and not out of mere routine. Let us put in our effort to pray, love and grow this penitential season!

Lenten Thoughts (Day 5): Christ, our example

"Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, to follow in his path.

He committed no sin, in his speech there was no deceit;

when they cursed him, he did not curse them;

when he suffered, he did not threaten retribution, but committed them to the one just judge.

He endured our sins in the sufferings of his body on the tree,

so that we would die to our sins and live for righteousness."
- 1 Peter 2

By our actions this Lent, may we strive to justify Christ's death on the cross for us, by our own willing death to our selves and by our efforts to live for Him.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 4): Now is the time

"We beg you once again not to neglect the grace of God that you have received. For he says: At the favourable time, I have listened to you; on the day of salvation I came to your help. Well, now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation." - 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Lord, I'm sorry for the times I procrastinated in accepting Your graces. Help me remember that NOW is the best time for me to change.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 3): Accepting God's free gift of Salvation

"Salvation, in fact, is gift, grace of God, but for it to have effect in my existence it calls for my consent, an acceptance demonstrated with deeds, that is, in the will to live like Jesus, to walk behind him ... [Lent, each year] invites us to renew our decision to follow Christ on the path of humility in order to participate in his victory over sin and death." - Pope Benedict XVI, 17 Feb 2010.

May we constantly recognise the gift that God has given us, and always strive to accept His gift by the way we each live our lives.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 2): I am not self-sufficient...

"Conversion to Christ, believing in the Gospel, ultimately means this: to exit the illusion of self-sufficiency in order to discover and accept one’s own need – the need of others and God, the need of His forgiveness and His friendship." - Pope Benedict XVI, 2010 Lenten Message, 30 Oct 2009

Lord, teach me Your humility. Help me to never be arrogant enough to think I can do without You.

Lenten Thoughts (Day 1): Exterior sign, interior reality

"Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn." (Joel 2:13a)

As we use this season to make sacrifices, may the actions we do on the outside - the fasting, the prayer and almsgiving - be merely small signs of the real conversion that is happening on the inside.

Quady 10: Fast & Feast is here!

Ok. So I've had this bugging feel since last Advent. After our successful Lenten journey as an online community last year, I received a couple of emails from some fellow sojourners to pick the project up again for Advent 2009. As you would have it, that didn't quite work out.

But the nagging feeling continued, and stronger this year, as Lent approached. Again, I felt too busy, and decided against re-starting this project again. The feeling did not go off. And after Ash Wednesday Mass today, the prophet Joel's words made it clear that we must do this again.

"‘Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks –
come back to me with all your heart,
fasting, weeping, mourning.’

Sound the trumpet in Zion!
Order a fast,
proclaim a solemn assembly,
call the people together,
summon the community,
assemble the elders,
gather the children,
even the infants at the breast."

- Joel 2:12, 15-16a

So you're officially invited to once again join the community for this period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Last year, we were challenged to go back to basics. This year, we take one step further.

Here's the easi(er) part: Just as we attempted in 2009, we will once again challenge ourselves to take on the three penitential practices of Matthew 6 - Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving - along with Abstinence, Confession and to commemorate Holy Thursday.

Here's the tougher parts.

Firstly, as the year's theme suggests, Quadragesigma 2010 will not be only about depriving ourselves of things. It will also include a lot of feasting... on the Word of God! And the challenge will be to read at least 40 chapters of the Bible in the next 40 days - ONE CHAPTER A DAY as a minimum challenge for 'starters'.

Whether you read the Book of Exodus (which has 40 chapters) and reflect on man's journey from salvation to disobedience, or the Gospels of Mark and Luke (which have a total of 40 chapters) and reflect on the life of Christ or Paul's letters from Titus to Galatians (which have approximately 40 chapters) and reflect on Paul's evangelistic efforts, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

You may share your thoughts on each chapter via email and it will be posted here and on our Facebook page.

The second new challenge for 2010, especially for friends who participated in last year's journey, is to invite a friend to our journey this year.

In addition, we will be posting up readings as regularly as possible. Read them, think about them. And share with us anything you picked up too by emailing the link to us.

Most importantly, please, above all this, let us all approach this with sincerity of heart and full intention to try our best to become better children of our loving Father. "Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn" (Joel 2: 13); may our exterior words and actions be merely a reflection of our interior conversion.

So here we go. Lent has started. Let our journey together begin all over again. God be with you and bless you richly!