LENT: HAVE YOUR HEART READY TO MEET GOD AT ALL TIMES

 

LENT

HAVE YOUR HEART READY TO MEET 

GOD AT ALL TIMES

We are a fearful people. And we engender fear.

There is not one of us who has not experienced trauma at the hands of another. The effects of the original Fall from grace have been far-flung and devastating. Each often knows the sting of an insult such as "idiot", "stupid", "why can't you be like (anyone else but your God-given self)"?

Have you ever been told by another, "I hate you"? Such a declaration can be most destructive. Years ago I asked someone who appeared to dislike me, "What annoys you about me so much?" With hostility the individual replied, "You're still breathing."

Many of us experience fear such as fear of the dark or of the unknown. We fear rejection by others. Some lie in bed at night with hearts racing. Sleeplessness is invaded by questions such as "Will I lose my job?" "How will I ever manage to pay everything this month?" "Will this illness end in cancer?" "Will my loved one die?"

LENT IS THE ANSWER TO FEAR

Left to ourselves, we may go around in mental circles. We may feel doomed to lack of courage, fear of who we are and what can happen. Many of us have experienced abuse, physical, verbal and spiritual. Financial abuse is another form of hurt many of us experience. Jesus Christ faced all our fears, and magnificently overcame them. Not by being above fear, but by refusing to allow His steadfast love to be overcome by fear and its oft-accompanying spirit, hatred. 

The Savior sweated blood in the garden as He faced torture and death. That night He was at the mercy of soldiers, tortured before death. Human sadism driven on by the influence of demonic loathing visited cruelty upon Him. Prior to His execution, Jesus was hammered with whips. His nose was possibly broken by the mailed glove of a guard. Thorns were forced into His Head. For His execution, Jesus' clothing was removed so that He hung naked upon the cross.  

Every pain the human race can suffer was forced upon Him as He sweated blood to save all of us from our sins. The saddest of all Christ's sufferings was that those whom He loves laughed at His pain. Why do we enjoy the suffering of another when we hurt so desperately ourselves?

Spring-clean our inner selves

Jesus went out to the desert for forty days and nights in order to wrestle with the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil. His example ushered in the Lenten season where we take a long, sober look at ourselves and clean out the inner house of our soul. Things lurk there: a spirit of pride, or a spirit of rejection. A jealousy which is engaged in destroying the happiness of another innocent soul who cannot understand why he or she is the target of our rage when all they do is work and love and pray.

Covetousness of another who has a bigger car, and stronger house, has better health or a larger bank balance. All of these things do not bring peace. We need to clear out our soul, and Lent is the perfect time to do it.

Personal judgement

Remember, dear one, that we are going to meet God in our personal judgement. When we die (yes, let us not run away from the reality by trying to stay ever-youthful and pretend to ourselves by our thoughts of everything except the inevitable truth) we will stand before Almighty God to answer for our deeds and misdeeds.

No-one will hold our hand. No-one who was complicit with us in sinning in mob violence, jeering at another, watching online matter the making of which entailed trafficking of innocents will stand with us at our last judgement when we face the Almighty. No, we will stand alone.

Let us make this reckoning of how we have spent our lives a joyous one, knowing that despite our many mistakes (and all of us make mistakes!) we have really tried our best. Our merciful Lord does not ask much more than that. However, He really does not like it when we deliberately turn our face away from all that is good.

Ask forgiveness

Lent is the time to ask God for forgiveness. Lent is the time to take a long look at our inner selves and change what is bad there. Yes, bad. I have said it. We all have the ability for bad within ourselves. 

However, habit is a wonderful thing. If we practise something often enough, it becomes part of us. So, if I get up each morning and practice meditation, my inner self will become calmer and my mind automatically will turn to God as soon as I wake up. I become that which I practise. 

Model yourself on Christ

Let us take the model of Our Lord Jesus Christ and practise His virtues; humility, kindness, patience, peace, goodness, trust in God, lack of revenge and inclusive love for all. Practice these things all the time in your own individual way. Eventually you will become these wonderful things.

That is not to say that you don't already have these virtues within yourselves; each of us have been given spiritual gifts by God. However, not all of us develop them to the fullest of their potential. Throw away your fear, leave behind your trauma and develop inner serenity and calm by asking Christ to change your soul and spirit.

Hurt

We hurt others as they hurt others. Often we hurt others through our fear: you will get the position at work I want, so I must destroy your professional reputation by lies. No. This is not from God.

I am afraid that you will hurt me, so I will hurt you first. No: again, this is not from God. Throw away fear, cleanse your heart of anxiety. Build your spiritual house upon the solid rock of God and not upon the shifting sands of the mores of the world, the flesh and the devil. 

Then, when temptation strikes, when the winds and the floods of difficulties arise around us, we will be able to stand firm and strong, true heirs to the Kingdom of God. Within ourselves the root of anger and hostility against others will fade, and the flower of love and care will flourish.

Chalice of Life

Each of us must drink from the chalice of life, whether we want to or not. Each of us must carry our own individual cross as disciple of God; whether we want to or not. However, if we courageously take up our cross and carry it, instead of waiting for daily life in this imperfect world to force it upon our shoulders, we have already thrown away a little fear and built a little courage.

Follow Jesus, Pattern of all that is good and holy

God testified to His Son at Christ's transfiguration with the words, "This is My Son, Whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!" (Luke 9:35)  It behoves us to be obedient to the Almighty. Jesus is the pattern of all that is good and holy. The four gospels explain the wonders of His human character allied to His divine dignity. Read them and immerse yourself in Who Jesus Christ really is - the One Who could forgive those who had just hammered nails into His wrists and feet.

Follow Jesus. Be strong. When your heart beats faster, and your palms sweat, and you feel inadequate, realize that the entire treasury of the Grace of God has been put at your disposal.

You are an heir of God, you will win heaven. But faint heart never won great victory. The greatest victory each of us can win is over ourselves. So be strong this Lent, turn to Jesus, go to confession to a reputable priest who is a person of authentic spirituality and change your life forever.

Mercy

Each of us will stand before Almighty God and answer for our deeds, misdeeds, and our no deeds when we should have acted. Mindful of this, let us show mercy for others, compassion for their weakness, understanding for their pain. Be strong in following Christ. Don't eat too much, don't fast too much. Balance is all. Don't use the beautiful sounds God made to fill our mouths in order to spew out invective. 

Be careful what you watch and read

Don't watch or read things that are not godly. Don't walk past the suffering of the innocent. Be strong. You are a beloved of Christ.

Lent: a wonderful time

Lent is a wonderful time. It is a second chance once again - every year! A second change to re-set our compass towards the due north of our heavenly destination. Yet again we are given a chance to decide to become the greatest saint that we can be. Once more we can turn to the sacraments to wash away our sin and become a new person in Christ.

One day will be your last

Throw away fear. Do not cause fear in others. Embrace each day.  One day will be your last before your eyes open to the wonderful vision of God in heaven. Make sure you have prepared for your eternal home by a good life. This is done by repenting your falls, receiving communion if possible and loving all in a godly manner.

Blessings as your fast, pray and give alms this Lent

May God's blessings be with you during this time of purification, turn towards holiness. The three ways you can celebrate the wonder of Lent are by means of fasting (prudently!), prayer (turn your hearts towards God and talk to Him - He gets lonely for your company) and almsgiving (give of your blessings to others who have none).

Become a saint!

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF LENT?

LOOK TOWARDS JESUS

The true message of Lent is simple: look towards Jesus, and follow His example.

  Jesus trained His Spirit to ultimate strength. In order to do this, He listened to God.

  He went to a quiet place to talk with God and seek guidance about His Life. [1] 

  Jesus trained His Body to be subordinate to His Spirit. This He did by fasting. [2]

He read and meditated upon the Scriptures. [3] Jesus humbly accepted trials. [4]

  Jesus resisted the temptation to be impressed by money, buildings and fame. [5]

  He chose instead to live as witness to God, instead of pursuing the passing glory of this earth.

  Jesus helped the poor, the sick, those in need. He advocated almsgiving, praising those who give - even very little. [6]

HOW DO WE BECOME LIKE JESUS?

We train ourselves to respond to situations in the same way that Jesus would have.

  This way of life does not come overnight. Each of us has a journey to travel to become our holy self.

  Each of us has personal decisions to make about how we treat our body, the people around us, the world in which we live.

  

Let us develop holy habits

Do we treat our body as the temple of God? Or do we subject our body to the dangers of promiscuity, addictive substances which harm?

   Do we treat others with respect and human decency, or do we use them for our own advancement in life without thought of the damage we may be causing in their lives?

  Do we treat the world and the animals within with respect and decency, or do we misuse resources and ill-treat the vulnerable?

  Do we train our spirits so we are the master of ourselves? Do we make use of the disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to strengthen our inner selves?

There are many ways in which we, as humans, can act in a Christ-like compassionate way.

  There are also many ways in which we, as humans, can fail to live up to the noble dignity of the humanity within us.

Lent is a golden time, an opportunity for us to do - as it were - a quality check on our spiritual life.

  Remember, we will leave this world with our soul. Our soul is our eternal wealth. 

  If we do not care for our inner spirit but spend all our efforts on our human body, on housing, estates and paper and metal money, we will not have looked forward to our eternal future.

During Lent we can make fresh decisions - a spiritual New Year's resolution - to leave behind the mistakes of the past, beg God's forgiveness for where we have failed, and steadfastly begin again on our path to authentic discipleship.

One year our Lent will be our last. Let it be our best.

POINTS TO PONDER

1. Make Lent a time of renewed prayer

2. Realise personal points of failure - sin - and repent of them

3. Change your life 

4. Practise prayer - even ten minutes a day is a good start. Ten minutes is better than nothing. Once you develop a life of prayer, it become like water for your soul - indispensable and infinitely comforting

5. Practice almsgiving - give a sensible tithe to those in need. If your family is the most in need, and there is very little - or no - income, well then, charity begins at home. Almsgiving can also include a kind word, a gentle smile, a helpful deed, neighbourly support

6. Practise fasting - fasting means to be disciplined in eating and drinking habits. It does not mean going without to the point of anorexia. It also does not mean fasting from food alone. It is helpful to be moderate in eating habits, as well as fasting from a spiteful word, harmful gossip, a false accusation, an action which leads to the breakup of a marriage

4. Make resolutions to become more like Jesus

5. Read the life of Jesus and imitate His wonder and beauty

6. If you have never before followed Jesus, why not accept Jesus into your life?

HOW TO RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR

Close your eyes, calm your breathing, and recite the following prayer dedicating yourself to the Son of God Who gave His Life for you.

"Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God, that You died on the cross to rescue me from sin and death and to restore me to the Father.

I choose now to turn from my sins, my self-centeredness, and every part of my life that does not please You.

I choose You.

I give myself to you.

I receive Your forgiveness and ask You to take Your rightful place in my life as my Saviour and Lord.

Come and reign as King in my heart.

Fill me with Your Love and Your Life.

Help me to become a person like You - a person who is truly loving, respectful of life and obedient to the Commandments of God the Father.

Restore me, Jesus.

Live in me.

Love through me.

Thank You, God.

In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."

Now pray Christ's own prayer;

Pray the following words as Jesus taught us:

"Our Father,

Who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come,

Thy Will be done,

One earth as it is in Heavne.

Give us this day

Our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil,

For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,

For ever and ever. Amen.

Take time to pray

Prayer is easy; just talk silently within yourself to Jesus. Tell Him your fears. Tell Him your tears.

Tell Him your worries, your sins, your hopes, your joys.

  He wants to be your Friend. The One Who always supports you, whether anyone else does or not.

  The One Who always love you, whether those who should love you do or not.

  The One Who wipes away every tear, calms every fear, and unerringly leads us to Heaven.

Now seek Baptism

Now find a good and trustworthy priest, seek baptism, and be baptised in the Name of the Lord Jesus.

[1] But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed [Luke Chapter 5: verse 16]

[2] Matthew Chapter 4: verse 2

[3] Luke Chapter 4: verses 17 to 21

[4] Luke Chapter 22: verse 42

[5] Matthew Chapter 4: verses 8 to 10

[6] Luke Chapter 21: verses 1 to 4

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Blessings on you all

POPE FRANCIS AMENDS CANON LAW SO WOMEN CAN BE INSTALLED AS LECTORS AND ACOLYTES; ALLEGED NEWS

POPE FRANCIS HAS ISSUED A MOTU PROPRIO CHANGING CANON LAW SO WOMEN CAN BE INSTALLED AS LECTORS AND ACOLYTES; ALLEGED NEWS. [1] In the motu proprio “Spiritus Domini,” issued on Jan. 11, the Pontiff changed canon 230 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law to read: “Lay persons of suitable age and with the gifts determined by decree of the Episcopal Conference may be permanently assigned, by means of the established liturgical rite, to the ministries of lectors and acolytes; however, the conferment of such a role does not entitle them to support or remuneration from the Church.” [1]

LECTOR AND ACOLYTE

Lector and acolyte are publicly recognized ministries instituted by the Church. According to Church law, “before anyone is promoted to the permanent or transitional diaconate, he is required to have received the ministries of lector and acolyte.”

Cardinal Luis Ladaria

Pope Francis wrote a letter to Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which explained his decision to admit women to the ministries of lector and acolyte, Alleged News. [1] In this letter, the Pontiff expressed the hope that opening these lay ministries to women might "better manifest the common baptismal dignity of the members of the People of God," Alleged News. [1]

Saint Paul VI

Pope Saint Paul VI abolished the minor orders and subdiaconate and established the ministries of lector and acolyte in the motu proprio "Ministeria quaedam" issued in 1972. [1]

The ministry of acolyte is to help the deacon and to minister to the priest. It is therefore the duty of the acolyte to take care of the service of the altar, to help the deacon and priest in liturgical actions, especially in the celebration of the Holy Mass. [1]

Potential responsibilities for an acolyte include distributing Holy Communion as extraordinary minister if such ministers are not present, publicly exposing the Sacrament of the Eucharist for adoration by the faithful in extraordinary circumstances, and the instruction of congregants. [1] The acolyte is to have a sincere love for the mystical Body of Christ, or People of God, and especially for the weak and sick.

In his decree, Paul VI wrote that the lector was instituted for the office of reading the Word of God in the liturgical assembly. [1]

Canon 1035

Canon 1035 says the following, "Before anyone is promoted to the permanent or transitional diaconate, he is required to have received the ministries of lector and acolyte and to have exercised them for a suitable period of time." [2] 

[1] Pope Francis admits women to ministries of lector and acolyte in new motu proprio; Alleged News

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-admits-women-to-ministries-of-lector-and-acolyte-in-new-motu-proprio-41309

[2] Ministries of lector and acolyte

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/ministries-of-lector-and-acolyte-4809

With thanks to catholicnewsagency.com ewtn.com 

                               

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Blessings on you all

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL LUMIERE CHARITY READERS

 

Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year

to all Lumiere Charity readers.

May blessings be with you and your loved ones

at this time of peace, joy and goodwill.

We pray for safeguarding from Covid-19.

A candle has been lit by Lumiere in

remembrance of all who are suffering

or have lost their lives since the beginning

of the pandemic. Our thoughts are with

their families, colleagues and friends.

GRANDPARENTS ARE WITNESSES OF THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES OF LIFE

 

GRANDPARENTS ARE WITNESSES

 OF THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES OF LIFE

26 JULY 2009

On Sunday 26 July 2009,  Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI gave the reminder to honour grandparents and the elderly. The pontiff commented on the liturgical commemoration of Sts Joachim and Anne [the Western feast day is July 26, the Eastern feast day is July 25]. 

Jesus' grandparents

Pope Benedict XVI said: "A second point for reflection comes from (the) liturgical commemoration of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of Our Lady, and therefore, grandparents of Jesus."

Grandparents are depositories and witnesses

"This occasion makes us think of the subject of education which has an important place in the pastoral work of the Church. In particular, it invites us to pray for grandparents, who, in the family, are the depositories and often witnesses of the fundamental values of life."

Educational task of grandparents

"The educational task of grandparents is always very important, and it becomes even more so when, for various reasons, the parents are unable to provide their children with an adequate presence while they are growing up."

Special blessing for grandparents

"I entrust to the protection of St Anne and St Joachim all the grandparents of the world and bestow on them a special blessing. May the Virgin Mary who - according to a beautiful iconography - learned to read the Sacred Scriptures at he rmother Anne's knee, help them always to nourish their faith and hope at the sources of the Word of God." [1]

Family in society

Paul Zalonski observed that "considering the place of the family in our society, the Pope mentioned Saints Joachim and Anne . . . Careful observers of (Pope) Benedict's work will notice that he comes back to a constant theme with the vital importance he places on education in Church's pastoral care program." [2]

Difficulties experienced by elderly

Mr Zalonski also noted that the Holy Father also mentioned "all elderly people, especially those who are alone or experiencing moments of difficulty." [2]

Vital role

Catherine Wiley, founder of the Catholic Grandparents Association, stressed the important role grandparents can play in passing on the faith and keeping prayer at the heart of family life. [3]  

Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life

A Vatican conference on pastoral care of the elderly entitled, "The Richness of Many Years of Life" took place in Rome in early 2020. Catherine Wiley was one of the participants.

The event, organized by Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life looked at how to deal with the culture of 'discarding' the elderly, as well as their role in the family and their particular vocation in the church. [3] 

Vital role of elderly in church life

Catherine emphasized the vital role of the elderly and grandparents can play in the life of the church. There is an opportunity, she said, to look at ages and stages of grandparents and the elderly and how they fit into the community. "We need in every community and in every parish a ministry for grandparents and the elderly, not just somebody who's slotted into the role because they have nothing else to do; somebody who is part and parcel, who's competent, who's professional, who can see the needs in the parish a mile off." [3]

Loneliness and depression

Catherine pointed out that some of the elderly can experience loneliness and depression. She stressed that there are so many older lay people who have the wisdom, experience and the skills to be a vital asset in the community and it is important to 'get them on board.' [3] 

Storytelling

One of the most important and often underestimated qualities the elderly possess is the ability to tell a story. Passing the faith on from grandparents to grandchildren through storytelling is vital ministry. 

Role of the elderly

The role of the elderly is to be treasured in society. Many a disaster has been avoided due to wise guidance from a grandparent or elder. The Scriptures tell us God will soften our juedgement when we show kindness to the elderly.

12 "My child, help your father in his old age,

    and do not grieve him as long as he lives;

13 even if his mind fails, be patient with him;

     because you have all your faculties do not despise him.

14 For kindness to a father wil not be forgotten,

     and will be credited to you against your sins." Sirach 3:12-14

[1] L'Osservatore Romano. Vatican City, Roma. Forty-second year, number 30 (2015), Wednesday, 29 July 2009

[2] Zalonski, Paul A. Communio: Pope Benedict XVI: July 2009 archives. "Benedict reminds us to honor grandparents, and the elderly"

http://communio.stblogs.org/pope-benedict-xvi/2009/07/

[3] Vatican News. The vital role of grandparents in church and family life

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-01/the-vital-role-of-grandparents-in-church-and-family-life.html'

With thanks to L'Osservatore Romano, communio.stblogs.org and vaticannews.va