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.