:...(
I missed mass tonight... the first time I'm missing Sunday mass in 2010~! I broke my streak :......(
came back from camping and then thought I will take a nap.
Alarm set to 6:35 am
instead of 6:35 pm
Forgive me God, I was feeling devastating when I woke up at 8:38pm when I realized I had slept way too long for a 20mins nap...
Was it because I didn't care about going to church as much as I thought?... or is it because I had too much fun these days I forgot about my commitment..?
Anyway. I am so sad.. but I will take this as a break you gave me and continue to enjoy my Sunday night :D Thank you so much for having me safely back home and giving me this relax night.
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Church Teachings - Mar. 14, 10. Forth Sunday of Lent
Second Reading:
17 Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Joshua 5:9, 10-12
This Sunday's teaching is all about reconciliation and the renewal of the relationship with God. For God has loved us so dearly that not only does He forgive, but He also went an extra step to send His only son Jesus Christ on earth so he may complete God's plan for fully reconciled with us from the original sins we bore.
Gospel:
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons; 12 and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. 25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. 27 And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' 31 And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
Luke 15: 1 - 3, 11 - 32
This week's Gospel is the well known "Parable of the Prodigal Son". Basically, what this story about is there's this son asking his father for half of his wealth and property, as if his father is "dead", he sold all of the stuff, got the money, left home, spent it all up, went to some sketchy towns and ended up as bum. While he found a job working in a farm feeding pigs, he now remembered how even his father's servants would have bread to feed themselves, but he is right here, hungry and not even have enough to get what the pigs are eating. He decided to go back to his father, and ask him to let him become one of his servants because he no longer fits to be his son and he should be his servants to repent his sins.
The second half of the story is kind of unexpected, one would think the father will condemn the son and punish him. Instead, the father welcomes this son of his, killed a fat calf, not just any calf and cook it and host a feast to celebrate his return. Now that the older son, who has been in the home since forever, helping his father becomes jealous and stated his anger towards his father unfairness - for all his life, he has been obeying and he has not even get a lamb as a feast! His father then reason: "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found."
It's not like the second son did well because he turned away from his father all these years, but because he was renewed, he reconciled and "he was lost, and is found.". This is not to encourage all of us to do this so we get better reward than the elder son seems to get. But this is to encourage us to never be afraid to go back to God's arms.
This parable should be called "The Parable of the Generous and Forgiving Father" instead of "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" because this parable's main character should be the father - God. God's love contains everything we do - good or bad. No matter what we asked for, he gives us - like how this father gave his son half of his property with no question asked. No matter what we have done - in this case, the son went so lowly as to being a pig feeder (which Israelis despairs because they don't eat pig, only roman soldiers eat them), he welcomes us - in here, killed a fat calf and host a feast (a fat calf , any calf raising in the desert at the Bible time is extremely valuable, and it would take many good grass to feed a calf to be fat), he forgives us unconditionally, he eagerly awaits for us to return - in this case, "run" towards the son when the son comes home, instead of the son running towards the father. This is a parable of the ever loving father who loves his sons so dearly, the rebellious and also the obedience older son - he stated to the obedience older son "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours." (At the culture in the time, the older son always get all of the father's belongings after the father deceased), so this is also a parable of how God's kingdom is all ours, as He had promised. If you are willing to open your heart and let God's in, follow His path you will get all of the things that you ever need, there will be always enough for you, all of everything will be yours.
Don't be afraid to admit your sins, don't be afraid to reconcile with God, for Him forgives you always and not only will He not punish you, but He eagerly awaits you to run to Him. He wants the best for us only always.
17 Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Joshua 5:9, 10-12
This Sunday's teaching is all about reconciliation and the renewal of the relationship with God. For God has loved us so dearly that not only does He forgive, but He also went an extra step to send His only son Jesus Christ on earth so he may complete God's plan for fully reconciled with us from the original sins we bore.
Gospel:
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons; 12 and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. 25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. 27 And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' 31 And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
Luke 15: 1 - 3, 11 - 32
This week's Gospel is the well known "Parable of the Prodigal Son". Basically, what this story about is there's this son asking his father for half of his wealth and property, as if his father is "dead", he sold all of the stuff, got the money, left home, spent it all up, went to some sketchy towns and ended up as bum. While he found a job working in a farm feeding pigs, he now remembered how even his father's servants would have bread to feed themselves, but he is right here, hungry and not even have enough to get what the pigs are eating. He decided to go back to his father, and ask him to let him become one of his servants because he no longer fits to be his son and he should be his servants to repent his sins.
The second half of the story is kind of unexpected, one would think the father will condemn the son and punish him. Instead, the father welcomes this son of his, killed a fat calf, not just any calf and cook it and host a feast to celebrate his return. Now that the older son, who has been in the home since forever, helping his father becomes jealous and stated his anger towards his father unfairness - for all his life, he has been obeying and he has not even get a lamb as a feast! His father then reason: "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found."
It's not like the second son did well because he turned away from his father all these years, but because he was renewed, he reconciled and "he was lost, and is found.". This is not to encourage all of us to do this so we get better reward than the elder son seems to get. But this is to encourage us to never be afraid to go back to God's arms.
This parable should be called "The Parable of the Generous and Forgiving Father" instead of "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" because this parable's main character should be the father - God. God's love contains everything we do - good or bad. No matter what we asked for, he gives us - like how this father gave his son half of his property with no question asked. No matter what we have done - in this case, the son went so lowly as to being a pig feeder (which Israelis despairs because they don't eat pig, only roman soldiers eat them), he welcomes us - in here, killed a fat calf and host a feast (a fat calf , any calf raising in the desert at the Bible time is extremely valuable, and it would take many good grass to feed a calf to be fat), he forgives us unconditionally, he eagerly awaits for us to return - in this case, "run" towards the son when the son comes home, instead of the son running towards the father. This is a parable of the ever loving father who loves his sons so dearly, the rebellious and also the obedience older son - he stated to the obedience older son "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours." (At the culture in the time, the older son always get all of the father's belongings after the father deceased), so this is also a parable of how God's kingdom is all ours, as He had promised. If you are willing to open your heart and let God's in, follow His path you will get all of the things that you ever need, there will be always enough for you, all of everything will be yours.
Don't be afraid to admit your sins, don't be afraid to reconcile with God, for Him forgives you always and not only will He not punish you, but He eagerly awaits you to run to Him. He wants the best for us only always.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Church Teachings - Feb. 28, 10. Second Sunday of Lent
First Reading: 5 And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." 6 And he believed the LORD; and he reckoned it to him as righteousness. 7 And he said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chalde'ans, to give you this land to possess." 8 But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" 9 He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a she-goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in two, and laid each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram; and lo, a dread and great darkness fell upon him. 17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphra'tes, - Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Abram (later called Abraham) is the "Father of Faith". He formed a covenant with God who promised him a son of his own and descendants that are number of the stars in the sky. He later conceive a son through his wife's servant Hagar which God told Abram that this son is not the son He promised him. Doesn't know what's God's plan, Abram never doubt God and renew the covenant with God whose once again repeated His promise of descendants as many as stars and a son who will become the king of the nations, 13 years later, God finally granted Abram his own son out of the 100 years old him and his 99 years old wife, Sarai.
God's promise to us never fail, even if we sway from the path in some moments in our lives, even if we denial Him for sometime during our lives - God still plan the best for all of us always. And for whatever things we ask the Lord, He always grant us. (Like how Abram prayed many years for a son of his own) Our "covenant" with God never breaks, God is always there waiting for us to go back to Him and follow His words. Through tests and trial, our faith strengthen and brought us closer to God (like how God tested Abram by having his servant bare his other child first). We shall never doubt whatever planned ahead of us. Whatever happened is only for our good. Our rewards shall be granted once we become true disciples of the Lord. All we have to do is being faithful to God, because God's faithful to us always and forever.
Gospel: 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah" -- not knowing what he said. 34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. - Luke 9: 28-36
Jesus - "Voice of God"
Moses - "Man of Deliverance"
Eli'jah - "Man of Prophets"
Peter, John and James - "Men of Disciples"
Abram (later called Abraham) is the "Father of Faith". He formed a covenant with God who promised him a son of his own and descendants that are number of the stars in the sky. He later conceive a son through his wife's servant Hagar which God told Abram that this son is not the son He promised him. Doesn't know what's God's plan, Abram never doubt God and renew the covenant with God whose once again repeated His promise of descendants as many as stars and a son who will become the king of the nations, 13 years later, God finally granted Abram his own son out of the 100 years old him and his 99 years old wife, Sarai.
God's promise to us never fail, even if we sway from the path in some moments in our lives, even if we denial Him for sometime during our lives - God still plan the best for all of us always. And for whatever things we ask the Lord, He always grant us. (Like how Abram prayed many years for a son of his own) Our "covenant" with God never breaks, God is always there waiting for us to go back to Him and follow His words. Through tests and trial, our faith strengthen and brought us closer to God (like how God tested Abram by having his servant bare his other child first). We shall never doubt whatever planned ahead of us. Whatever happened is only for our good. Our rewards shall be granted once we become true disciples of the Lord. All we have to do is being faithful to God, because God's faithful to us always and forever.
Gospel: 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli'jah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah" -- not knowing what he said. 34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. - Luke 9: 28-36
Jesus - "Voice of God"
Moses - "Man of Deliverance"
Eli'jah - "Man of Prophets"
Peter, John and James - "Men of Disciples"
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Breakfast
Today morning I went to the morning mass.
I had been thinking of going to the morning mass for a few weeks now, I finally did it!
I was going to tell myself on my bed struggling to get up: "How about tomorrow?" (cos I have my study week this week)
But I was like, if I want to do this, I will do it NOW. No excuse of not going because I would have sleeping anyway! So I literally woke up, dressed, go and drive there to the church.
I went!
Taking the Eucharist as "breakfast" is a good feeling.
What a great breakfast! hahaha.
My next goal: go to weekday Mass on every Wednesday (or more).
I had been thinking of going to the morning mass for a few weeks now, I finally did it!
I was going to tell myself on my bed struggling to get up: "How about tomorrow?" (cos I have my study week this week)
But I was like, if I want to do this, I will do it NOW. No excuse of not going because I would have sleeping anyway! So I literally woke up, dressed, go and drive there to the church.
I went!
Taking the Eucharist as "breakfast" is a good feeling.
What a great breakfast! hahaha.
My next goal: go to weekday Mass on every Wednesday (or more).
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Church Teachings - Feb. 21, 10. First Sunday of Lent
1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit 2 for forty days in the wilderness, tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." 4 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone.'" 5 And the devil took him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours." 8 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" 9 And he took him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; 10 for it is written, `He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,' 11 and `On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 12 And Jesus answered him, "It is said, `You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. - Luke 4:1-13
"Temptation is good.
It brings us closer to God."
God gives us freewill to choose rather to give in or to resist temptation.
No matter what we chose, God loves us.
When we chose to do the right, God recognize and get the glory, we are closer to God.
When we reconciled with Him to ask for forgiveness if we have done the wrong, we are closer to God.
No matter what we chose, God loves us. He gives us freedom, he gives us freewill. He loves us.
I want to be the righteous one from now on.
Last night, I got discouraged because I received three criticisms (not one, not two, but three) from my friends. All about different things I did not do good. I thought I tried soo hard these days to do these, but then people don't seems to see it. "Have I not done enough? Have I not tried hard enough?" I did give in to temptation last week which is true. I regret that and really want to repent my stupid sins which I could have avoid if I only tried harder.. but I just can't.. I fall back to the hole, I lost my power for the past week, I must be sick again???
I got abit upset, not really really sad, but I was discouraged for a bit and it hurt me. But in a way, I know they are telling me about myself, about things that I cam improve on. And I believe that is what God wanted to tell me: "There are these things you want to work on, go for it." I know God had spoken to me through these friends. I know that I got a sign, and I am going to change and improve.
One day, and I know this is very soon, I can truly become this person. This person with things corrected into a better way. I want to be better, I don't like how I was, I don't like what I did, like I said before in the last post, I want to throw away my old self. I don't want to throw away my confidence and willingness that I finally build up though, because I need that, and on top, I'm building up my faith, my trust, and my love. I know one day, and it might be very soon or later, people, especially God will recognized and agreed.
give me courage and strength please!
"Temptation is good.
It brings us closer to God."
God gives us freewill to choose rather to give in or to resist temptation.
No matter what we chose, God loves us.
When we chose to do the right, God recognize and get the glory, we are closer to God.
When we reconciled with Him to ask for forgiveness if we have done the wrong, we are closer to God.
No matter what we chose, God loves us. He gives us freedom, he gives us freewill. He loves us.
I want to be the righteous one from now on.
Last night, I got discouraged because I received three criticisms (not one, not two, but three) from my friends. All about different things I did not do good. I thought I tried soo hard these days to do these, but then people don't seems to see it. "Have I not done enough? Have I not tried hard enough?" I did give in to temptation last week which is true. I regret that and really want to repent my stupid sins which I could have avoid if I only tried harder.. but I just can't.. I fall back to the hole, I lost my power for the past week, I must be sick again???
I got abit upset, not really really sad, but I was discouraged for a bit and it hurt me. But in a way, I know they are telling me about myself, about things that I cam improve on. And I believe that is what God wanted to tell me: "There are these things you want to work on, go for it." I know God had spoken to me through these friends. I know that I got a sign, and I am going to change and improve.
One day, and I know this is very soon, I can truly become this person. This person with things corrected into a better way. I want to be better, I don't like how I was, I don't like what I did, like I said before in the last post, I want to throw away my old self. I don't want to throw away my confidence and willingness that I finally build up though, because I need that, and on top, I'm building up my faith, my trust, and my love. I know one day, and it might be very soon or later, people, especially God will recognized and agreed.
give me courage and strength please!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
灰的意義
聖灰瞻禮
若望保祿二世講解聖灰禮儀的意義
教宗在2000年3月8日星期三聖灰禮儀日講解有關聖灰瞻禮和四旬期的意義。
教宗說：「聖灰禮儀這一天在頭上撒聖灰並不是要給教友製造悲觀消極、聽天由命的氣氛，而是要邀請大家不要受到物質世界的約束，因為物質世界固然有它的價值，畢竟是要消失的。只有在天主內，人才能重新完全找到自己，並發現自己存在的最後意義」。
以聖灰禮儀開啟的封齋期邀請人悔改皈依，因此教宗強調：「聖門為眾人敞 開著，誰知道自己被罪過所壓迫，也承認自己毫無功德可言，就請進入聖門 吧！誰覺得自己虛無得像灰塵，就請進入聖門吧！ 虛弱、缺乏信心的人請從虛弱、缺乏信心的人請從 基督的心中汲取新的活力吧！ 」。
教宗提醒聖伯多祿廣場的各國信友：「守齋刻苦不僅僅是外表的規矩或外在 的禮節行為，更是感到需要改變生活的有力標記；守齋刻苦要求人放棄合理 的物質享受，使內心獲得更多的自由，以便更容易聆聽天主的聖訓，也更能 夠慷慨地幫助有需要的人」。
四旬期的精神是：
人順應天主的慈愛，在生活中，以聖言、祈禱、犧牲及善功潔淨心靈，好能更深的皈依基督。 是故，領聖灰並不是我們得救的必要條件，我們該重新審訂及研究這「象徵」的價值。原來隱藏於四旬期內的聖洗的意義——「棄舊迎新，跨越死亡到達永生的意義」才最重要，我們該把這份精神帶引出來這點對於那些擁有大量慕道者的堂區尤為重要。
Quoted from http://catholic-dlc.org.hk/s02ash.htm
The priest often chooses to say as he traces the sign of the cross with ashes on the penitent's forehead: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.”
What Ash Wednesday is about is some pretty rare reflection. It's the day when many Christians—not just Catholics—are encouraged to pause and examine their lives; to think about how their actions, or inactions, have affected themselves and others; to look clearly at the path they're pursuing and begin a 40-day process of figuring how they should re-draw that map.
Reflection is a good thing, as we're often so caught up in the day-to-day routines of our lives that we seldom consider whether our habitual behaviors should change. Ash Wednesday, and the 40 days of Lent that follow, give us an opportunity to pause and rethink those behaviors. In a hectic, materialistic world that's often telling us what we should want out of life, that's a wonderful thing.
Unlike receiving Communion, people can receive ashes regardless of the state of their souls. They don't have to go to confession first. Yet for many people who, for whatever reason, aren't regular Mass-goers, the sense of being marked with ashes can feel even stronger than receiving Communion. The reception of ashes is not a sacrament, but the sacramental sense of it is powerful. And for those who haven't been to Mass for a while, that sense is magnified.
Quoted from Matt Nannery's Description of Ash Wednesday
若望保祿二世講解聖灰禮儀的意義
教宗在2000年3月8日星期三聖灰禮儀日講解有關聖灰瞻禮和四旬期的意義。
教宗說：「聖灰禮儀這一天在頭上撒聖灰並不是要給教友製造悲觀消極、聽天由命的氣氛，而是要邀請大家不要受到物質世界的約束，因為物質世界固然有它的價值，畢竟是要消失的。只有在天主內，人才能重新完全找到自己，並發現自己存在的最後意義」。
以聖灰禮儀開啟的封齋期邀請人悔改皈依，因此教宗強調：「聖門為眾人敞 開著，誰知道自己被罪過所壓迫，也承認自己毫無功德可言，就請進入聖門 吧！誰覺得自己虛無得像灰塵，就請進入聖門吧！ 虛弱、缺乏信心的人請從虛弱、缺乏信心的人請從 基督的心中汲取新的活力吧！ 」。
教宗提醒聖伯多祿廣場的各國信友：「守齋刻苦不僅僅是外表的規矩或外在 的禮節行為，更是感到需要改變生活的有力標記；守齋刻苦要求人放棄合理 的物質享受，使內心獲得更多的自由，以便更容易聆聽天主的聖訓，也更能 夠慷慨地幫助有需要的人」。
四旬期的精神是：
人順應天主的慈愛，在生活中，以聖言、祈禱、犧牲及善功潔淨心靈，好能更深的皈依基督。 是故，領聖灰並不是我們得救的必要條件，我們該重新審訂及研究這「象徵」的價值。原來隱藏於四旬期內的聖洗的意義——「棄舊迎新，跨越死亡到達永生的意義」才最重要，我們該把這份精神帶引出來這點對於那些擁有大量慕道者的堂區尤為重要。
Quoted from http://catholic-dlc.org.hk/s02ash.htm
The priest often chooses to say as he traces the sign of the cross with ashes on the penitent's forehead: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.”
What Ash Wednesday is about is some pretty rare reflection. It's the day when many Christians—not just Catholics—are encouraged to pause and examine their lives; to think about how their actions, or inactions, have affected themselves and others; to look clearly at the path they're pursuing and begin a 40-day process of figuring how they should re-draw that map.
Reflection is a good thing, as we're often so caught up in the day-to-day routines of our lives that we seldom consider whether our habitual behaviors should change. Ash Wednesday, and the 40 days of Lent that follow, give us an opportunity to pause and rethink those behaviors. In a hectic, materialistic world that's often telling us what we should want out of life, that's a wonderful thing.
Unlike receiving Communion, people can receive ashes regardless of the state of their souls. They don't have to go to confession first. Yet for many people who, for whatever reason, aren't regular Mass-goers, the sense of being marked with ashes can feel even stronger than receiving Communion. The reception of ashes is not a sacrament, but the sacramental sense of it is powerful. And for those who haven't been to Mass for a while, that sense is magnified.
Quoted from Matt Nannery's Description of Ash Wednesday
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Church Teachings - Feb. 7, 10. Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed!
For I am a man of unclean lips,
living among a people of unclean lips;
yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me,
holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
He touched my mouth with it, and said,
“See, now that this has touched your lips,
your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
“Here I am,” I said; “send me!” - Isaiah 6:1 - 8
Don't be ashamed to go to Church because of your problems and sins, for healthy people are not the only people go to a doctor. Sinners are more than welcome in Church than regular Church-goers.
Self-Reflection: Yes, I'm very sick right now. I need to go to the doctor so badly. Please take me in, God.
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. - Luke 5:1-11
You prayed for many years but did not get what you prayed for, you went to Church but good things do not seem to happen, you lost trust in God and asked what's the point to believe? For God has His plan, trust him and you shall get what is best for you. Follow the path God has planned for us, God entrust us to be His people, we also should trust God to be our leader in life. You only need to have faith and believe in God, what He gives you and His love for you is always more than enough.
Self-Reflection: For so long I thought I fought hard, kept going, but without faith, I failed and got nothing in return, because I am a sinner who left God. This time, God is here, telling me to go back to Him. If I "lower my nets for catch" with all my hearts, I know the best is not far away. God, please guide me for I cannot see what's ahead of me. I'm afraid for this change, please give me more strength to continue to follow you and to put all my trust in you from now on. Will I be able to "catch men" if I follow you??? ^_^ hahaha... I think so.
For I am a man of unclean lips,
living among a people of unclean lips;
yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me,
holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar.
He touched my mouth with it, and said,
“See, now that this has touched your lips,
your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”
“Here I am,” I said; “send me!” - Isaiah 6:1 - 8
Don't be ashamed to go to Church because of your problems and sins, for healthy people are not the only people go to a doctor. Sinners are more than welcome in Church than regular Church-goers.
Self-Reflection: Yes, I'm very sick right now. I need to go to the doctor so badly. Please take me in, God.
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. - Luke 5:1-11
You prayed for many years but did not get what you prayed for, you went to Church but good things do not seem to happen, you lost trust in God and asked what's the point to believe? For God has His plan, trust him and you shall get what is best for you. Follow the path God has planned for us, God entrust us to be His people, we also should trust God to be our leader in life. You only need to have faith and believe in God, what He gives you and His love for you is always more than enough.
Self-Reflection: For so long I thought I fought hard, kept going, but without faith, I failed and got nothing in return, because I am a sinner who left God. This time, God is here, telling me to go back to Him. If I "lower my nets for catch" with all my hearts, I know the best is not far away. God, please guide me for I cannot see what's ahead of me. I'm afraid for this change, please give me more strength to continue to follow you and to put all my trust in you from now on. Will I be able to "catch men" if I follow you??? ^_^ hahaha... I think so.
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