Lenten reflections

One week from today, we will celebrate Palm Sunday; and, two weeks from now will be Easter Sunday. Lent is the 40-day period before, excluding Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.

During Lent, our faith teaches us to observe fasting and abstinence. It is the time for Christians to engage in serious thoughts or contemplation on the messages of Christ and their impact on our daily lives. This practice is called Lenten Reflections. Like most people, I sometimes find difficulty in contemplating Biblical phrases within the framework of the world today. I have discovered that sometimes it is better to remember a Biblical phrase and try to connect to certain events happening on the front pages of our own modern world. Here are a few samples I would like to share with you.

He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.

This is the well known story that the Phrarisees, in an attempt to discredit Jesus, brought a woman charged with adultery before Him. Then they reminded Jesus that adultery was punishable by stoning under Mosaic law. They challenged Him to judge the woman so that they could accuse Him of disobeying the law. Jesus thought for a moment and then replied: “He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.” The people around him were so affected by these words on their consciences that they immediately departed.

I remember these words of Christ every time I listen to those congressional investigations. I especially remember congressmen, including a party-list representative, literally salivating as they pressed for details regarding the alleged relationship between Leila de Lima and another person. Now I hear two warring political leaders justifying adultery on the front pages.

But I am most disturbed when I hear people, who are supposed to be sober and responsible, condemning Leila de Lima for an alleged affair; and, at the same time justifying the adulterous practices of male politicians as “common” behavior. This goes beyond sexism and male chauvinism. I invite all those people to remember again the words of Christ as He faced all those Pharisees and their followers.

Thou art Peter and upon this I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

What did Jesus really mean when He said those words? Some believe that because He was talking to Peter and the word Peter means “rock,” the words meant that the Church would be built upon Peter and his successors. I prefer to believe that Christ meant that the Church would be built upon His divine revelation and profession of faith in Christ. However, Christ was also praising Peter for his accurate testimony about His divine revelation.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says t- in the Apostles’ Creed - to believe that the Church is “holy” and “catholic” and that she is “one” and “apostolic” is inseparable from belief in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The word “Church”  means a convocation or assembly. In the church, God is “calling together” His people from all the ends of the earth. In Christian usage, the word “church” designates the liturgical assembly. The Church, therefore, is the People that God gathers in the whole world. Believers who respond to God’s word and become members of Christ’s Body, become intimately united with Him. Christ is the head of the Body, the church. He is the principle of creation and redemption. It is in the church, through whom He extends His reign over all things.

I find comfort, inspiration and hope in these words because it tells me that the Church is not built upon persons but upon the words of Christ. The words also reassure me that no matter how much evil there is in the world, the Church will prevail.  I believe that this is the reason the Church has survived for more than two thousand years in spite of sins attributed to some  priests, bishops and even popes. This is why I believe the Church will survive until the day of the Final Judgement.

Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.

This is one of my favorite Bible stories – the Parable of the Talents. A man was going on a journey He gave his servants talents: “ To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.”

When the man came back, he asked his servants for an accounting of what he had given them. One servant doubled his five talents to ten; and, the other doubled his two talents to four. But the one who had been given one buried or did nothing with it at all. The master said: “You wicked and slothful servant.”

I believe that when our life is finished and we must face Judgment Day, God will ask us what we have done with the talents He gave us. For those who have power and wealth, much more is expected. Perhaps that is why The Bible says: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle, than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Here are excerpts from Pope Francis’ Lenten message: “Lent is a new beginning...The Apostle Paul tells us that the ‘love of money is the root of all evils...Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with God...Let us pray for one another so that...we may open our doors to the weak and the poor.”

Creative writing classes for kids and teens

Young Writers’ Hangout for Kids & Teens on February 4, February 18 and March 4 (1:30 pm-3 pm).  Classes at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.  For registration and fee details text 0917-6240196 or email [email protected].

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