A NEW GROWTH IN FAITH

“...unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yeilds a rich harvest,” (John 12: 24).

The seed planted in the ground is a beautiful symbolism of growing in new life. Jesus announces his hour has come and He will suffer and die to gain abundant life for all.

Jesus is the grain of wheat. He was planted in the ground in death at Calvary, but rose to new life, a divinised life. His passion, death and resurrection have brought all for salvation and all to bear fruits of the Spirit in us: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,” (Gal. 5:22).

Jesus tells us that only those who trust in Him, only those who let change and transformation come into life during this Lent, will ultimately experience a new meaning in life which opens a new opportunity for growth and maturity in faith.


The Responsorial Psalm today says, “Create a clean heart in me, O God,” (Ps 51) and invites us for a renewal that will restore us to a life at peace with God.

LOOKING AT FAMILY LIFE DURING LENT

We have now completed the first half of Lent. As we enter into this Fourth Week of Lent, the second half of the season, leading up to Holy Week, we are invited to reflect on how our Lenten penances and good work has helped us in our family conversion, and built upon our relationship with one another. How are we allowing the grace of God to be at work, as we prepare to renew our baptismal promises at Easter?

Lent is an ideal time to look at marriage and family life. How does our Lenten Season shape what we are called to do in marriage and family life? During the next three weeks of Lent and before Easter Sunday, we should take time to examine our marriage and family. As spouses, do we love as deeply as we did at the beginning of our marriage?

As Lent is a season of renewal, it is an appropriate time for families to pray together, if they haven’t already been doing so. Realise that our families are in need of conversion, especially when it comes to our relationship with one another. Families should make it a point to get together for meals and prayer time, perhaps even to talk about their Lenten reflection. Our commitment and our relationship within the family unit should deepen through unconditional love.

Unconditional love transforms us not only as spouses and parents, but more importantly – it transforms us a person. For those of us who are parents, do we put the needs of our children first? Do we think about our spouse before making a decision that could affect the family? We should strive to put the needs of others ahead of our own, so that we may grow in love. We should care for each other and pray for the grace to be less selfish in our family life.

Is there something you can do in order to make your family life better? Could you help out and share the workload within the family? Could you hold back the sarcastic comments and complaints, which hurt and sadden your spouse and children? How about choosing to say something positive and loving instead? Wouldn’t that make a wonderful and meaningful Lenten experience!

Sometimes, the simple and ordinary changes we make for the sake of our families can draw us closer to each other. The Lord will show us His grace, mercy and love, and that will lead us to patience, forgiveness and reconciliation.

“We all stumble in many ways,” (James 3:2) which is why we need to be patient in our relationships. Without patience, we may face friction and division in our homes. Be patient - constantly loving one another, and cultivate a forgiving attitude in the same way God forgives us. Learn and teach ourselves to be patient, loving and forgiving as it will strengthen our family bonds and lead to peace in our homes.

THE LOVE OF GOD

“God loved the world so much that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not be lost, but may have eternal life,” (John 3: 16).

The Love of God has no beginning and will have no end. We were created by Love and are called to live the good life. Jesus has come to assure us of God’s love and to urge us to walk with Him in the light of that love.

We all have experienced wonderful changes in ourselves when we feel loved by another person. Love has a powerful effect in our lives. The real love is a gift from God that saves us. Our faith and our trust enable us to believe in the goodness of God and to come to the light.

We need to live our lives in the presence of the One who has always cared for us and who will never forget us. During this Lent, we need a deep conversion of heart. As we kneel before the cross in prayer, we pray for a renewed desire to grow in holiness.

EXPERIENCE GOD’S FORGIVENESS THROUGH CONFESSION

As Catholics, we are strongly encouraged to prepare ourselves for confession at least twice a year, particularly during Lent and Advent. However, confessions can regularly and consistently be made, whenever it is needed. But how do you really prepare yourself for confession? When was the last time have you made an honest, uncensored and sincere confession?

For this season of Lent, our Church has set penitential rites for Wednesday, 7 March 2018. We will begin with the Eucharistic celebration at 730pm, followed by confession. In the days leading up to this, we are encouraged to examine our conscience - searching for thoughts, words and actions which did not conform to God’s command - before coming for the penitential rite. If needed, write your thoughts down, so that you will not forget them once in the confessional. The main purpose for confession is to repent for our sins, and firmly resolve not to commit them again.

So what do we do once we’re in the confessional? Here are a few steps to follow:

1.     Kneel or sit comfortably and greet the priest. He will greet you as well.

2.     Make the sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was…” (give weeks, months or years).

3.     Then confess your mortal sins first, followed by all your other sins (even the ones which you forgot to say in the previous confession) plus any venial sins that you wish to mention.

4.     End your confession by saying: “I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life and I ask for pardon and absolution from the Church.”

5.     The priest gives a penance and offers advice to help you become a better Catholic. So, listen carefully to his spiritual advice and accept the penance he gives you.

6.     Then say the Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow for your sins: “Oh my God, I am truly sorry for I have sinned against you. Because you are so good, by the help of your grace, I shall not sin again.” (Please memorise this).

7.     The priest expresses the words of absolution at the end of the Sacrament of Reconciliation: “…may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you of your sins: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. My son/daughter, your sins are forgiven, go in peace!”  

8.     After leaving the confessional, you should return to a seat and quietly thank the Lord for the forgiveness that you have received, and ask the Lord to grant you the grace to live your life truthfully and faithfully. Remember that we confess to repent for our sins and firmly resolve not to commit them again.

As preparation before confession, I suggest you read these two Biblical passages, which are related to the Sacrament of Confession: Luke 15 which represents the Parables of God’s Mercy and the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and Psalm 51 which is the best Act of Contrition. Pray over these and meditate on them. Trust in God’s mercy and make the best confession of your life. “Where sin abounds, God’s mercy abounds all the more,” (Romans 5:20).

JESUS PURIFIES OUR HEARTS

Today's Gospel reading is about Jesus cleansing the temple (John 2: 13-25). Jesus was angry with the materialistic activity taking place in the temple. It was with a righteous anger that He drove out the livestocks and overturned the money changer tables.

Jesus saw the oppressive, disruptive, evil dealings in the temple as an insult against God. He was consumed with righteous anger against such scandalous disrespect for God’s place of worship. He came to purify the Temple showing that He had come to remove all barriers to the true worship of God. He came to open the way to the true worship of God.

We are living under the New Covenant and our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus uses the temple as a spiritual sign. The real temple, the real place God, is the human heart. God dwells in us.The only way to keep our heart clean is to have Christ in our lives.

It is Jesus that cleanses us and changes us. Jesus’ Word and the power of the Holy Spirit change the evil in us. We must look unto Jesus for a genuine change to take place within us.

Is there any distraction in your life that is keeping you from worshipping God?