Lenten Reflection Day 25

...for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.  Luke 18:14

The thing that often trips us up is sin which leads invariably to spiritual blindness. Sin dulls the conscience and subverts an individual over time into a lesser, proud and selfish being. The Pharisee in Luke’s Gospel followed the Law perfectly, and in his own eyes he was a righteous man. He was “safe”. However, he failed to see that he was full of spiritual pride, frequently condemning others for being greedy, dishonest and adulterous. 

His faith was an egocentric, inward-looking one whereas the practice of true faith is always an outward movement, of reaching out in love to others. Faith, religion, is not about what you don’t do but what you do. Have we been kind, compassionate, patient, loving, giving today? Have we actually made the world a better place in small and big ways? Have we spread the gospel of love just as Jesus did?

Like it or not, we are all sinners in our own, hopefully, little ways. The key is to know where one’s sinful tendencies are, and when one has actually sinned, and to humbly keep coming back to the Lord like the tax collector with downcast eyes, who stood in the temple and kept praying for God’s mercy. 

This humbling of one’s self is the only way to return to Jesus and to one’s true self, made in the image and likeness of God, so that one may be exalted into a more virtuous, more loving, a greater man or woman. Humility is the way to go.

Lenten Reflection Day 24

He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding,  with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.  Matthew 12:32-33

There is only one God, the only One who will love you unconditionally, who keeps calling you to return, and when you do, He will forgive you all your sins. He will help you walk safely if you submit to His ways and He will prosper you. Only the best will He give you, even honey from the rock for He is the God of the impossible. No one else can promise you this. 

That is not to say your life will be all roses, but at the same time, when troubles come your way, you will know what to do and you will be able to come out of dark times with your integrity intact, and your place in the eternal Kingdom assured. God sends His angels to guide you, His Holy Spirit endows you with true wisdom so that you will always be filled with the consolation of joy and peace.

There is only one thing required of you, that you simply love Him. You don’t have to do anything else, just love Him for the compassionate, wise and gentle Father that He is, the caring, generous and passionate spouse that Jesus is, and the faithful, persevering and generous alter ego that the Holy Spirit is. 

As Saint Augustine said: Love God and do whatever you please. It implies that the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved. Love Him. Trust Him. 

Lenten Reflection Day 23

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.  Luke 11:23

We are made by the Creator, we belong to Him, and He always wants what’s good for us because He loves us. Unfortunately we don’t always agree with what we think of as interference. We tend to want to walk our own way, calling it independence and our right to freedom. I have done that and I have to say it is not all it is cracked up to be. In fact, I was lost and miserable. 

Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper. Conversely this statement from Jeremiah 7:23 I have found to be true. In choosing to walk down the exact path God has planned for me, I have found great freedom, satisfaction and much joy. He has answered the many desires of my heart with great indulgence. I am living my dream. I am happy and swimming in fulfillment.

Certainly total obedience at times may have seemed the poorer and even ridiculous choice; I may have struggled and questioned if I was doing the right thing occasionally, but God is never wrong and He is always on time. He knows exactly when we need something and He always provides in great abundance. 

So heed His words, run to Him with your whole heart, and experience His love and mercy firsthand today. Try not to procrastinate for as Jesus put it, if you are not for Him, you are against Him. You’re either in or you’re out. Choose in all the way.

Lenten Reflection Day 22

 

But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:19

Little children have no idea what is dangerous or bad for them. Loving parents set boundaries, create routines, and teach their children right from wrong, good from bad, just so that their children can grow up to be physically and emotionally healthy, socially adjusted, resilient and happy individuals. 

Likewise, God gave Moses commandments to set before the people and their descendants. If they followed the commandments, they would be admired by other nations for their wisdom and intelligence and seen as a developed and civilized nation.

Jesus teaches his disciples that He came to fulfil the Law,  not abolish it. We saw what He meant by this earlier on, that Jesus was calling us to a new order of law. He wants us to go beyond the Law, to live by the principle of a self-giving love that breathes life, purity and new heart into the Law. 

If all our thoughts, words and actions are dictated by the love of God and others, then by virtue of this, we will never break any Law, spiritual or secular, and we would perpetuate this love-infused Law to others, sharing and spreading the gospel love of God, as it were. We would become, most naturally, upright and outstanding human beings, worthy of being called great citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Lenten Reflection Day 21

Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.  Matthew 18:22

Forgiveness - this is and will always be a challenge. How can I forgive the one who hurts me when I have, in good conscience, done nothing to deserve such condemnation? What do I do when someone refuses to allow reason or mercy in to mend the breach? What if I have not done anything wrong at all? 

I still have to keep forgiving the person who even today adamantly refuses reconciliation. In concrete terms it means letting go of my ego and emotions and arriving at a decision to disallow any of his or her mud of bitter anger stick onto me. It isn’t easy, but with the grace of the Spirit it can be done. Hasn’t the Lord shown us how it is done, taking our hurtful sins on the cross with Him, allowing them to crucify Him? Hasn’t the Father shown us by sacrificing His son so that we may be redeemed by this supreme act of love?

If we have received mercy and compassion, we, too, must give mercy and compassion. Do not be like the servant who was forgiven his huge debt by the king but decided to be merciless to a fellow servant who owed him a small sum. He was judged with mercy but he judged with justice, forgetting the mercy he had just received, and this led to a sorry end for him. So forgive again and again, and you will be forgiven with as much, if not more kindness that you show others. 

Lenten Reflection Day 20

Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.  Luke 4:24

It is a strange quirk of human nature that we prize the rare and unattainable, and what we deem commonplace or ordinary, we despise, especially not appreciating the true worth of what we actually have before us. 

Here we first have Naaman the leper presented with a simple solution on how to cure his leprosy and he got upset with the suggestion until it was pointed out to him that if he were told by Elisha the prophet to do something extraordinary for a cure he would have complied immediately. 

Then we have Jesus preaching in his own home town, Nazareth, where the people got furious at the veracity of His words and wanted to do violence to Him. They could not accept that Yahweh through the prophets blessed the Gentiles rather than Jews in the two instances Jesus quoted. Rather than repent and be as receptive as the Gentiles were, they chose to reject Jesus whom they could not see was the Messiah because He was nothing special in their eyes. 

Are we guilty of such behaviour ourselves, allowing pride and stubbornness to rule our minds and hearts? Do we actually see God’s hand in the hours as we go about our day, where He protects, guides and blesses us not only in big things but the smallest ones? Or are we blind to His beneficence and generally dissatisfied with what we receive, deeming His gifts puny and his assistance lacklustre?

Cultivating a trusting reliance on God requires a heart turned to Him in constant prayer for this alone will help us recognize Him in our midst, and to come to Him with a suitably grateful and open heart for all the minor miracles in our lives. Only then will we accept the common humanity of Jesus, and welcome wholeheartedly the Son of Man who walks with us. And then we will see and hear Him in the mundane circumstance and everyone we encounter today. 

Lenten Reflection Day 19

but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  1 Corinthians 1:24

The good news today is God is for everyone, He is calling anyone who is looking for something more in life: more joy, more peace, more clarity, more simplicity, more fulfillment, more richness and just more of a good life that doesn’t end, an everlasting life. 

All one has to do is say yes to the Lord and His law which is perfect and refreshing to the soul, His decree which brings a simplicity to wisdom, His precepts which rejoice the heart, His command which enlightens and His ordinances which build justice. When one respects and ‘fears’ God, one has enduring faith, a faith which does not dilute into a tepid, flabby mishmash of religion meet superstition meet secular ideals. 

But in order to remain in right relationship with Christ, there is a certain way one has to live, a way that involves commandments, what I like to term good life guidelines, that are driven by just one thing, love. If we embrace this simple ethos, to love, as Christ loved and still loves, we unlock the key to a vibrant and enduring faith powered by God and His wisdom. 

The righteousness of the Lord clothes the heart full of zeal and with love of Him. It is precious so guard it well, and it is honeyed, so savour its sweetness slowly. Keep His temple, which you are, holy.

Lenten Reflection Day 18

He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion. Psalm 103:4

How many of us have rebelled against our parents growing up, rejecting good advice, thinking we know better what’s best for us, only to be humbled by the consequences of our poor choices in life? How many of us have chosen a life of sin, thinking pleasure trumps goodness? How many of us despair of making good of all our screwups, afraid to trust and hope in a God of mercy and compassion?

Despite the faithlessness of the Israelites who kept spurning God, belittling all the gifts He showered them with, God never gave up on them and He kept inviting them to return to Him. This story of the faithfulness of God was highlighted in the parable of the prodigal son Jesus told the grumbling Pharisees and scribes who were condemning his choice of mealtime companions. 

God is like the Father who keeps looking out for His child to return to Him every day, and when He spots him in the distance, He runs out to meet him with expensive gifts and great rejoicing. No recriminations, just pure celebration.

We are crowned with kindness and compassion, what a powerful image of a Father’s doting love, a love we hardly deserve, and yet, it is there for the taking. We simply have to believe in His goodness, His unconditional love that forgives all our transgressions when we repent and turn back to Him. 

Drinking living water

Last night at the First Scrutiny we reflected on the woman at the well  in the Gospel of John, chapter four and what surfaced for me was one of my greatest fears: that I would walk away from God and lose sight of Jesus, that His Spirit would not be dwelling in me. Do I praise and worship the Lord with appropriate zeal? Despite all my prayer time I still seem so deeply flawed as an individual, making silly mistakes. How can I say I love God when I am so lacking in wisdom? 

The place of fear is where mistakes are born. We often choose unwisely when we are driven by fear. We say and do the wrong things. That is why it is so important to name our fears for knowing our enemies can help us defeat them. This realization gave me clarity of thought and reflecting further I realized that there was a deeper fear underlying all this: the fear of being unloved. 

What if Jesus stopped loving me because I was unfaithful, or because He finally realized I was not good enough? I spent a great part of my life looking for love, to be loved for who I am. I often asked God in sorrow in my younger days why am I so unlovable? It was only when I turned to Jesus that I realized the love I was looking for all along was there right in front of me. He was The One, my Prince Loving. In His arms I have found the amazingly lovely and lovable woman His Father created me to be, and with Him by my side, I can be strong, courageous, bold, fearless... 

My identity as daughter of God, a princess in His Kingdom, Bride of Christ allows me to be a tireless worker in His vineyard, to go forth and spread the good news: People, you are precious in God’s eyes, every one of you, you are priceless and wonderfully made. You are loved beyond your wildest imaginations and hopes. In His eyes you are the most beautiful person ever just because He loves you as a Father loves a beloved daughter or son. Why stand outside His house looking in with such yearning and thirst in your soul? Enter today and drink of the living water, you will never be thirsty again. No regrets.  Satisfaction guaranteed. 

As for myself, I acknowledge my fear and I know it is simply a fear. I should use it as a reminder to always give of my best, not to backslide, and to counter it by speaking truth to myself: I may not deserve it, but I am deeply loved. So I myself should enter the inner sanctum of His house and just sit at His feet, allowing His presence to wash over me. And take a sip of the living water occasionally. 

Lenten Reflection Day 17

Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. Matthew 21:43

When we do not love someone we become indifferent, there is a hardness of heart. We are not inclined to be generous or giving, we may even despise and seek to condemn and destroy. There is no room for understanding for we become stubborn and close minded. We allow pride, anger, envy, greed, all manner of deadly sin to enter our hearts and rule our words and actions.    

Thus Joseph’s brothers got rid of him and sold him as a slave in Egypt. Thus the Pharisees who were actually waiting for the Messiah could not see the face of salvation in the Son of God. They scorned Jesus’ humble beginnings, they hated how He challenged them to be better people. They proudly preferred their rigid, unloving version, subversion of the Law which lead them to murder Him. Thus they rejected the Son and the Father, thinking themselves above even the Almighty Himself.

There is a cautionary tale in the parable of the tenants. If we don’t appreciate what the Lord God is giving us, this gift of eternal life, He will give it to those who will want it and be fruitful ambassadors of His love to the world. 

Another important point: God is in control of history, and He rewrites our crooked lines to reveal His glory in His story. We see that in the story of Joseph who was sold as a slave, thrown in prison to later rise up and become vizier, second in power only to Pharaoh. Again, today, we are presented with a choice, what will you choose? 

 

Lenten Reflection Day 16

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.  Luke 8:15

Faith dictates how we live our lives, and whether we gain eternal salvation or not. There are no half-measures. If you are in, you are in all the way, to the end, and if you are not, you’re not. But know that your choice will determine if you end up in heaven or hell in the afterlife.

Yesterday we understood that faith in Christ was not for the faint of heart, and yet, it has its graces. As it says in Jeremiah 17:8, a person of faith is like a tree in the year of drought showing no distress, but still bears fruit. Whereas those who choose not to follow Christ are likened to barren bushes in the desert that enjoy no change of season (verse 6 of the same chapter). 

Jesus warns the Pharisees, and those of us who refuse to follow Him now that there are no second chances once death occurs. The gravity of final judgement is that it is irrevocable. Our Father may be merciful and compassionate, but He cannot save those who decide to go their own way, turning their back on Him in pursuit of selfish pleasures. 

So turn back today, the end may be closer than you think. Say yes to God, to love, to virtue, to service, to goodness, and eternal glory, today and every day.

Lenten Reflection Day 15

the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Matthew 20:28

Today’s readings remind us that it is not easy being a follower of Christ. Jesus may be a king, but He is not typical of what we think of as king. Despite His royal lineage, He was born in a manger, grew up in a tiny village where He was the carpenter’s son. 

When He began His public ministry, His three-year “reign”, He worked tirelessly among the common people, brought healing to the outcasts and the marginalized, and preached to thousands of people who needed Him to provide food to fill their empty stomachs as well. He reached out especially to sinners, people scorned not just by the Pharisees and scribes, but even decent folk. 

Jesus challenged the social order of His time with everything He did, gaining such popularity that those in position felt threatened and plotted his downfall. He was arrested, falsely accused, scourged, then crucified like a criminal. He did all this to save us. If we follow Him, we can expect the same. We serve with love, and then we keep on serving. Do not expect to be rewarded. What’s more, be prepared to be persecuted.  

So why be a follower? Because the love I have experienced from Him is like nothing else on earth. It is boundless and deep as the ocean, it is heartwarming, healing and transformative... I wake up every new day grateful, and go about my day with expectant faith. I love myself, and I love my life just because He loves me. As a child of God, I know He is with me in Spirit and He will always be there for me, no matter what happens. How could I not follow Him? 

Lenten Reflection Day 14

Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good.  Isaiah 1:16-17

Jesus had harsh words for the scribes and Pharisees when he urged the people not to follow their example. Do as they say but not as they do for their actions belie their words and burden those around them. Essentially he called them hypocrites of the first order, and they were not to be emulated nor admired, except in their knowledge of Mosaic law that promulgated goodness. 

Doing good, Isaiah goes on to say is to bring justice into the world: redress the wronged and defend the marginalized; to lighten people’s burdens, not add to them as the Pharisees did. As Christians we don’t need to be reminded that Jesus had a preferential option for the poor, he always sought to balance the scales of social justice, to bring more equality to the world through a love that was practical and effective. 

While we know alms-giving is a main focus of Lent, we should not forget about it the rest of the year. Keep an eye out to see what needs to be set right and act accordingly. How can I personally be the boy who unceasingly threw one starfish at a time back into the ocean during low tide so that it would not dry up and die on the sand. 

Poverty or social injustice is a widespread reality, more so in COVID-19 times. Lend a helping hand today, give your time, and more importantly, give your money.  

Lenten Reflection Day 13

For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”  Luke 6:38

We are all sinners without exception. The quicker I recognize this, the better able I will be to do something constructive about it because I am often my worst critic and judge. Here Jesus reminds me to be merciful, to stop judging, to stop condemning, and to forgive, myself especially. Only by doing so can I truly start giving a good measure, and receiving in similar fashion. 

Remember the woman in chapter 7 of Luke’s gospel? The one who had sinned much and who was consequently forgiven much and therefore loved more - giving in good measure? She was forgiven much because she repented much. If I repent like she did, no matter how heinous or plentiful my sins are, I will be forgiven. 

Jesus is encouraging me to stop dwelling on my own sins such that I remain stuck in either misery or denial, but to progress to a place of honest repentance so that I can be open to His forgiveness and love, his mercy. And when that happens, I will receive such an ocean of love from Him that it will overflow through me to others. I will not be able to help myself but to love and give generously, emulating Him. And, this is the best part, it will earn me even more graces, for all the good I do will always rebound on me.

So rather than focus on my shortcomings, my weaknesses, my sins, I will repent by placing all of it at His feet, begging for forgiveness. This will then free me to love myself as He loves me, and to love others as He loves them. So I can pay forward the love to eventually see it return full circle to me. How beautifully symmetrical and complete is that? 

Lenten Reflection Day 12

He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Romans 8:32

Jesus is our gift, a gift we clearly do not deserve, for we threw Him away, and we do it to some extent every day. Why would God give us His beloved son, knowing we would spurn His gesture and murder His son? It is because He created us out of love, for love. His love for us, his creatures, runs deep, and He keeps pulling out all the stops in order to save us. The point is why do we not believe in His love? 

Every time I sin, it is a rejection of this incredibly generous and tender love. Every time I trust in my own abilities I reject the awesome future He has planned for me. Every time I get fearful and anxious, I display an utter lack of trust in someone who wants only good things for me and delivers them consistently right into my hands. 

Sure, life isn’t hunky dory all the time, expect it not to be.Yes, believing in Him does not mean I won’t suffer persecution, disaster, loss and sorrow. So life isn’t fair, but there is something to be said for an enduring and absolute faith. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac won him multiple blessings that impacted not just himself, but his descendants, even making him a founder of a nation. My faith could potentially bless all whom I love, even those they come into contact with, and over time, through the generations. Talk about a ripple effect that spreads not just outwards but through infinity.

How can I not love someone who never stops thinking about me and who always wants to give me abundance unimaginable? The invitation today, and every day, is to allow His love to transfigure me in such a way that beloved, I receive fully all He desires to give me, all the blessings, and I, in turn, can bless others in a manner that brings the Father to them, giving them everything He wishes to give.

May I always allow myself to be transfigured by His love by saying yes to the Father's gift of Jesus filled with the Holy Spirit. 

Lenten Reflection Day 11

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

What is the way of perfection? Moses exhorted the people to observe all God’s statutes and decrees with all heart and soul. Jesus goes further by proclaiming we must love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. 

The way of perfection is to love as Jesus did, He who gave up His life for the most underserving and ungrateful people that we are. He who willingly took on our sins to die a most humiliating and excruciating death just so that we can be redeemed. He who dined with sinners and tax collectors, engaged outcasts like the woman at the well, cast demons out and healed the sick.

Jesus who was the human face of His Heavenly Father showed us what true love, compassion  and mercy, should look like. He also showed us how we should live - at one with the Father through constant communication so that He accomplished His Father’s will in thought, word and action at every turn. 

Rather than focus on material or physical perfection which seems to be the goal of many today, let me focus on spiritual or supernatural perfection instead.  If I choose to, I can be perfect today - as my Heavenly Father is perfect. 

Lenten Reflection Day 10

 I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:20

Keeping the law, whether civil or spiritual, is all well and good. As upright citizens we want to do what is right and good in order to contribute to a society that is stable and thriving. However, as Christians, we still may not make it to heaven as Jesus warns his disciples. What is needed is a constant and deep conversion of heart that drives us to act by going  beyond the law to fulfilling the law of love Jesus Himself embodied. 

What is written in my heart is more important. Am I motivated by love of God in every good deed that I do, or is it a bid to win affirmation, maybe manipulate others, and create an opportunity to boast of my good deeds? 

The example Jesus gives here is even more demanding. Anger and unforgiveness is as good as murder He preaches. If I refuse to reconcile with my brother, even if my brother is at fault, then no matter what I do, all my good deeds in life, they all count for nothing. 

Every single day repentance is needed, just so that I can make for myself a new heart and spirit. Only then will I never veer off the path of virtue Jesus has forged, slipping much too easily onto the road to perdition. It al seems so difficult. It is. And yet, at the same time, it is worth it. In keeping His ways I have found much happiness, great inner peace and a sense of well-being and deep satisfaction for I have found the Kingdom of heaven here on earth. Now I just need to continue to seek His Kingdom until I reach it beyond my deathbed. 

Lord, please grant me the grace of a humbled, contrite heart each day. 

Lenten Reflection Day 9

On the day I cried out, you answered; you strengthened my spirit. Psalm 138:3

The message today from Scripture is to have the trusting nature of a young child who relies on a parent for everything, every waking moment. Whether it is Queen Esther who acknowledges her helplessness and seeks God’s assistance through prayer and fasting, or the psalmist who thanks and praises God for His help and continues to fall back on the Lord’s aid, or Jesus who encourages his disciples to ask, to seek and to knock in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 7.

The words of Jesus ring true for us today: In asking you will be given, in seeking you will find, in knocking the door will be opened. Jesus reassures us of the generosity of His Father, saying it surpasses every effort of human parents to love their children by giving them good things. 

It may be counter-intuitive, humiliating even, to cry out and ask for help to such an extent. Surely as intelligent and able adults we are able to accomplish tasks, create systems, and run organizations on our own steam. We tend to forget that everything comes from God, our intelligence, skills, talents, capabilities and gifts, everything. We should always give ownership back to the Lord and whatever we accomplish in a day, we should thank and praise Him for all the opportunities that came our way to glorify Him. 

Without Him we are nothing. Every good thing comes from Him. Both Jesus and Mary understood this truth all too well and sought constantly to do the will of the Father. They cried out every day for the Father to strengthen their spirit and lead them. We ought to do the same if we call ourselves Christians.