Repentance and Renewal in the season of Lent

Therefore, turn away from our sinfulness, recommit ourselves to following Jesus, and deepen our relationship and closeness to God by reflecting on His Words. We remember in Lent that our faults can lead us away from God, and also make us selfish, forgetting about the needs of others. We think for a moment about our own lives and we ask God‟s forgiveness. During this time of Lent, we learn to let go of all unnecessary things and be more mindful of our dependence on God. We fast, abstain, pray and give alms. 

Lord, during this Lenten season 

nourish us with Your word of life 

and make us one in love and prayer.

The forty days of Lent represent Jesus forty days in the desert fasting, overcoming temptations, and praying after His baptism by John the Baptist,  Let us be like Jesus who never gave in to temptations during His forty days in the desert, We to need to pray to God like Jesus did in over coming temptations.

The Church has never allowed Sundays to be kept as days of fast ... Every Sunday is a day of obligation, the paschal mystery is celebrated (Canon 1246) and is also mini Easter. 

Sunday, on which by apostolic tradition 

the paschal mystery is celebrated, 

must be observed in the universal Church 

as the primordial holy day of obligation.

(Canon 1246)

Abstinence from meat, 

or from some other food 

as determined by the Episcopal Conference, 

is to be observed on all Fridays, 

unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed 

on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

(Canon 1251)

Therefore the calculation on how forty days came about is as follows:

From Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday is 46 days and there is 6 Sundays within that period. Therefore, 46 days minus 6 Sundays equals to 40 days of Lent fasting.

Dance with My Father ~ Luther Vandross

Back when I was a child, 

before life removed all the innocence

My father would lift me high 

and dance with my mother and me and then

Spin me around ‘til I fell asleep

Then up the stairs he would carry me

And I knew for sure I was loved

If I could get another chance, another walk, 

another dance with him

I’d play a song that would never, ever end

How I’d love, love, love

To dance with my father again

When I and my mother would disagree

To get my way, I would run from her to him

He’d make me laugh just to comfort me

Then finally make me do just what my mama said

Later that night when I was asleep

He left a dollar under my sheet

Never dreamed that he would be gone from me

If I could steal one final glance, one final step, 

one final dance with him

I’d play a song that would never, ever end

‘Cause I’d love, love, love

To dance with my father again

Sometimes I’d listen outside her door

And I’d hear how my mother cried for him

I pray for her even more than me

I pray for her even more than me

I know I’m praying for much too much

But could you send back the only man she loved

I know you don’t do it usually

But dear Lord she’s dying

To dance with my father again

Every night I fall asleep and this is all I ever dream

Papa ~ Paul Anka

Everyday my papa would work

To try to make ends meet

To see that we would eat

Keep those shoes upon my feet

Every night my papa would take me

And tuck me in my bed

Kiss me on my head

After all the prayers were said

And there were years

Of sadness and of tears

Through it all

Together we were strong

We were strong

Times were rough

But Papa he was tough

Mama stood beside him all along

Growing up with them was easy

The time had flew on by

The years began to fly

They aged and so did I

And I could tell

That mama she wasn't well

Papa knew and deep down so did she

So did she

When she died

Papa broke down and he cried

And all he could say was, "God, why her? Take me!"

Everyday he sat there sleeping in a walking chair

He never went upstais

All Because she wasn't there

Then one day my Papa said,

"Son, I'm proud of how you've grown"

He said, "Go out and make it on your own.

Don't worry. I'm O.K. alone."

He said, "There are things that you must do"

He said, "There's places you must see"

And his eyes were sad as he

As he said goodbye to me

Every time I kiss my children

Papa's words ring true

He said, "Children live through you.

Let them grow! They'll leave you, too"

I remember every word Papa used to say

I kiss my kids and pray

That they'll think of me

Oh how I pray

They will think of me

That way

Someday

Hear O' Lord, it is I Your servant crying and begging for Your Help

Dear Lord, 

I am going through financial difficultly, 

and out of desperateness I cry to you O' Lord 

to help me in this urgent need 

and all those in similar situation as me. 

Lord, things have become worst 

as now my dad has just pass on 

and called back by You to Your home, 

I now grief more each day missing my dad 

who was my right hand and support in my troubles. 

I know Lord, I have sinned and am a sinner, 

have mercy on me Lord. 

I am only human at times, 

I am unable control my human senses. 

I know Lord, you are full of love and mercy, 

your compassion and empathy is infinite. 

Therefore, Lord Jesus 

by the will of the Father in heaven, 

let it be done unto me, 

touch, heal and provide for me Lord 

and all other who also need the same. 

I truly have faith, trust and hope 

in You alone my Lord, 

that by Your miraculous wonder, 

and by the will of God the Father, 

my prayer and needs will be fulfilled 

and the money I need 

will know my name, address and bank account 

as soon as You permit it. 

My trust and hope in You Lord 

will never fade or die. 

May the grace of the Almighty 

Support, Sustain and Supply all my needs 

according to His riches in glory. 

Amen.

Lent 2015

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which falls on 18 February, 2015 marks the beginning of Lent, and it ends a day before Easter (Resurrection of Jesus Christ) on Holy Saturday, 4 April, 2015. Lent is a solemn observance in the liturgical year of many Christian denominations. During the season of Lent, Christians prepare for the celebration of Easter by prayer, penance and fasting. There are actually 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday consisting of 40 weekdays and 6 Sundays, Lent is actually 40 days minus the 6 Sundays which is a day celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death by His resurrection from the death (fast and penance is forbidden or optional Sundays).

Ash Wednesday, 18 February, 2015

First Sunday in Lent, 22 February, 2015

Second Sunday in Lent, 1 March, 2015

Third Sunday in Lent, 8 March, 2015

Fourth Sunday in Lent, 15 March, 2015

Fifth Sunday in Lent, 22 March, 2015

- Holy Week begins -

Palm (Passion) Sunday, 29 March, 2015

Maundy (Holy) Thursday, 2 April, 2015

Good Friday, 3 April, 2015

Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), 4 April, 2015

- Holy Week ends -

Easter Sunday, 5 April, 2015

In 2015, the Message of Pope Francis for Lent is "Make your hearts firm (cf. Jas 5:8)". Based on the theme of the globalization of indifference, the Holy Father expresses his hope "that all those places where the Church is present, especially our parishes and our communities, may become islands of mercy in the midst of the sea of indifference!"

A Lenten Prayer called the Passion

Dear Lord Jesus, 

by Your Passion and Resurrection

You brought life to the world.

But the glory of the Resurrection

came only after the sufferings of the Passion.

You laid down Your life willingly

and gave up everything for us.

Your body was broken and fastened to a Cross,

Your clothing became the prize of soldiers,

your blood ebbed slowly but surely away,

and Your Mother was entrusted to the beloved disciple.

Stretched out on the Cross,

deprived of all earthly possessions and human aid, 

You cried out to Your Father that the end had come.

You had accomplished the work given You, 

and You committed into His hands, 

as a perfect gift, 

the little life that remained to You.

Lord, teach me to accept all afflictions

after the example You have given.

Let me place my death in Yours 

and my weakness in Your abandonment,

Take hold of me with Your love,

that same foolish love that knew no limits,

and let me offer myself to the Father 

with You so that I may rise with You to eternal life.

AMEN.