Our forty days Lenten journey begins on the 14th of February, Ash Wednesday which is also the Feast of Saint Valentine of Rome.
Lent is the time, the preparation for Easter. How do we prepare ourselves during these days? There are three traditional pillars of Lent which are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through these three pillars of Lent, we journey to develop a closer relationship to God.
In the book of Joel 2:12-13 it says, ‘Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart; with fasting, weeping and mourning. Rend your hearts not your garments and return to the Lord your God. For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.”
God is inviting us to commit ourselves in prayer. Praying deepens our understanding of our faith, building a closer relationship with him. Jesus himself always pray to the Father. Reading the scriptures also that we can use in our journey as we encounter trials and temptation along the way. Like Jesus, who was tempted in the desert, used the holy word to fight the devil’s temptation. Through God’s Word, we can distinguish between right and wrong for it says in Hebrew 4:12-13, “For the Word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. It pierces to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and judges the intentions and thoughts of the heart. All creation is transparent to him; everything is uncovered and laid bare to the eyes of him to whom we render account.”
Fasting is a practice in self-discipline with a penitential focus. As for me during Lent season I refrain from eating meat, using less time in scrolling my phone and spending more time in reading the bible to prepare myself for confession. Let us be like the people of Nineveh. When Jonah who obeyed and proclaimed God’s message they repented, believed in God and declared fasting and turned from their evil ways so that God may see and have compassion and save them from any destruction.
Reconciliation is not only to God but also to our neighbours. Though fasting is one of the traditional penitential practices and these are good but what is better is the love and service of one’s neighbor.
Through almsgiving and helping others, sacrificing our time and energy are one way to prepare also for Easter, as the gospel of Matthew says, “The king will answer, ‘Truly, I say to you: just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it to me.’” (25:40) By this we are fulfilling the two greatest commandment which is to love the Lord our God and our neighbours. Let us pray for patience and faith to help those who are in need physically and most especially in spiritual growth.
We all have a mission to share the gospel. Let us prepare and journey with Jesus in the desert. As we follow and learn from his Son, let us pray for God’s wisdom and guidance in fulfilling our mission. May we all have a peaceful and meaningful journey this Lent. Repent and believe in the gospel!
Sheryl Tapel Reyes
Love of God Prayer Group
Holy Family Parish,
Choi Hung
