How’s your Lent going? I
believe you are making the most awesome Lent this year. These past three
Saturdays about 200 of our parishioners have been attending Life in the Spirit
Seminar (LSS). These parishioners of ours have chosen to participate in the LSS
as a part of their spiritual preparation and renewal of their faith. Praying
that all the LSS participants grow in your faith life through the presenters’
insights, sharing and testimonies.
The ultimate goal
of Lent is to create pure hearts and steadfast spirit so that we can joyfully
celebrate the resurrection of our Lord at Easter on 16 April. In my own
spiritual journey in the past I have experienced a lot of transformation and
renewal particularly during the season of Lent in terms of attitude and
behavior. Like you I too often begin with the best of intentions, fasting and
praying but as I journey through I do face my weakness and I lose all my plans,
intentions and disciplines of Lent. When I fail in my Lenten aspirations, I
grow discouraged and give up gradually. This is a victory for Satan. Somehow, I
remind myself of the importance of prayers and good works in order to build
myself up spiritually and mentally.
During Lent I
usually practice the examination of conscience. Besides this, I do go and meet
my spiritual director for spiritual guidance and also make a confession. During
this Lenten season, all the parishes in the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese are having
the Penitential Service. So, it is a great time for you to go and make a good
confession before you celebrate Easter. I also use this time to constantly read
good spiritual books and scripture readings.
Lent is a great
time to discipline ourselves in our daily prayer that can guide us
for the rest of our lives. We should focus our prayers on repentance and
contrition for our sins. Lent is a very good time to refocus our efforts and
renew our commitment as true disciples of Christ. We should also minimise our
‘sins’ by not criticising others and fast from making negative speeches.
During Lent do remember to be more charitable and merciful to others.
Do see others especially the poor and those in need. Please do reach out to
them and find a way to help them. Remember the promise of Jesus, “And whoever
gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a
disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward,” (Mt 10: 42).
This Lent, do your
best. Strive to root out sin and nurture holiness for that is the true
heart of Lent. May you continuously have a good Lent by focusing and
disciplining yourselves.
Fr George P
Novena and Feast day
We have exactly a month to begin
our Novenas and Feast Day celebration of our Patron, St Joseph, the Worker,
which will commence on 22nd April till 1st May. The committee members have already
decided the themes and confirmed the celebrants of the day. In one or two weeks’
time, they will start distributing the flyers and posters. I personally invite
all our parishioners to get involved and participate in the novena to our
Patron Saint and our feast day celebration.
No comments:
Post a Comment