First Edition in 2006: Lent 40 Days, a Personal Time for Reflection and Change:
In the beginning of Lent they talked to us about a '‘Desert'" a time of spiritual searching, meditation, the reviving of our faith, learning to listen quietly, the renewing of our hearts and reading the Word of God, the Bible. What is the Bible telling us??? To know and better understand the Word we must make time alone with God through Jesus Christ to reflect on all that Jesus has done for us on the cross because of His great Love for us. We must ask God forgiveness for our sins, He whom we have so often offended. Ask forgiveness to all those we have offended and forgive all those who have offended us. Have faith, repent and turn away from all of your sins. Does my conduct reflect in me a true disciple of Jesus Christ ??? You must through Jesus Christ "Be Reborn again, Put on the New Man, get rid of your old evil nature and its wicked deeds!!!!!!!" God proposes a new alliance with humanity, Jesus Christ, providing new life and transforming us everyday. We are heading towards Easter and through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we are being regenerated and given a new life.
We need to remove the dust that blinds and leads us away from the eternal truth and give our souls a true and good springtime cleaning.
Be faithful in your rendez- vous with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Be Doers of Good Works, of Giving, of Prayers and of Fasting
"Be careful not to do 'good works' in front of others. Don't do them to be seen by others. If you do, your Father in heaven will not reward you. "When you give to needy people, do not announce it by having trumpets blown. Do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They announce what they do in the synagogues and on the streets. They want to be honored by others. What I'm about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. "When you give to the needy, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Then your giving will be done secretly. Your Father will reward you. He sees what you do secretly. "When you pray, do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They want to be seen by others. What I'm about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. "When you pray, go into your room. Close the door and pray to your Father, who can't be seen. He will reward you. Your Father sees what is done secretly. Matthew 6:1-6
"When you go without eating, do not look gloomy like those who only pretend to be holy. They make their faces very sad. They want to show people they are fasting. What I'm about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. "But when you go without eating, put olive oil on your head. Wash your face. Then others will not know that you are fasting. Only your Father, who can't be seen, will know it. He will reward you. Your Father sees what is done secretly. Matthew 6:16-18
Reflection:
An example of excellence
Christ died for sins once and for all time. The One who did what is right died for those who don't do right. He died to bring you to God. His body was put to death. But the Holy Spirit brought him back to life. By means of the Spirit, Christ went and preached to the spirits in prison. Long ago they did not obey. God was patient while Noah was building the ark. He waited, but only a few people went into the ark. A total of eight were saved by means of water. The water of the flood is a picture of the baptism that now saves you also. The baptism I'm talking about has nothing to do with removing dirt from your body. Instead, it promises God that you will keep a clear sense of what is right and wrong. Jesus Christ has saved you by rising from the dead. He has gone into heaven. He is at God's right hand. Angels, authorities and powers are under his control. 1 Peter 3:18-22
The prodigal son
Just as the prodigal son returned to his father we should also return to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ by imitating the prodigal son when he returned to his father to confessing his sins:
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
Reflect and make a real commitment to the service of God and neighbor and accept JESUS CHRIST as your LORD and SAVIOR.
