Bite-sized Sacrifices

 

Lenten Reflection #6

“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a contrite and humble heart, O God, you will not spurn.” – Psalm 51:19

The term “Lenten sacrifice” may be daunting for many of us. As a little girl, I was appalled by pictures of self-flagellants with bloodied backs. Walking the whole length of the procession barefoot like some people do in my hometown was beyond my abilities. My (hashtag all caps) SACRIFICE was to sit through the monotonous chanting of the Pasyon my Lola hosted at our ancestral house.

When I grew up, the concept changed to more doable sacrifices. But still, there were times I would falter because I could not sustain it for 40 days. When I backslid, I’d totally give up.

As I was preparing for today’s reflection, I came across a very helpful article about little Lenten sacrifices for those who can’t go the traditional route*. I thought it would be a good idea to make a list of bite-sized sacrifices for my own use:

No decadent sweets for dessert (Krispy Kreme, Mary Grace, Dairy Queen goodbye for now).

2.   No chocolates as weekend cheats (hello fat-free, made from real fruit Welch’s gummies muna)

3.   No detective mysteries and romcoms (binge watch only bible themed movies and shows like The Chosen)

4.   No match 3 and home design games. Play only those that are good for stimulating the brain like word games and puzzles.

5.   Instead of changing the topic after Papa tells the same story for the fifth time, wait until the tenth retelling.

How about you? What’s your bite-sized Lenten sacrifices?

Reference:       *National Catholic Register’s 13 Little Lenten Sacrifices 

                        https://www.ncregister.com/blog/13-little-lenten-sacrifices

                        

Plug In

 

Lenten Reflection #5

Prayer is how we connect to God. It’s plugging ourselves into the divine power source. Like charging a cellphone. But as Fr. Cris Cellan mentioned in his homily this morning, “The problem is we start our day with our cellphone, not on our knees.”

As prayer is another of the three pillars of Lenten practice, let’s intensify our prayer habit by being more aware of what it is.

“Prayer during Lent focuses on our need for God’s forgiveness. It’s also about repenting (turning away from our sins) and receiving God’s mercy and love.” (from cru.org – Campus Crusade for Christ)

In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches us to pray the Our Father. We ask our Abba to forgive us, but we are also tasked to forgive others. Lent is a time for healing relations with God & with others. And “prayer is the means of healing our relationship with God.” (from “Restore”*)

“Yet you are merciful to all, for you can do all things, and you overlook men’s sins so that they may repent.” – Wisdom 11:23

As part of my reflection, I asked myself: Which of my relationships need healing? Who do I need to forgive or need forgiveness from?

References:      Mass Homily for today – Fr. Cris Cellan: Relationship with God our Father

*“Restore” – A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation by Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT

Loving the Least

 

Lenten Reflection #4

Almsgiving. Why do this especially for Lent?

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: “During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving,” which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is a ‘witness to fraternal charity’ and ‘a work of justice pleasing to God.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462).”

Today’s gospel about how God will separate the sheep from the goat (Matthew 25:31-46) and the homily gave me more clarity on the practice of almsgiving. The priest said that the measure God will use is how much we have loved our neighbor. Love…not how many novenas we can pray in one day or how far we can walk on our knees to the altar or how many ministry meetings we attend. Better yet, love for the least of our brethren. The least need not only be the materially poor – Manong Magbobote, Sampaguita Girl, Beggar Ate. It can also be that nerd who has no friends or the rich, overbearing boss every employee hates. Yes, even the emotionally and spiritually poor need the love of a neighbor. As Pope John Paul II said, “Nobody is so poor he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich he has nothing to receive.”

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40

 Reference:      Mass Homily for today – Fr. Jason Laguerta: Separation

You Are Mine

 

Lenten Reflection #3

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” – Isaiah 43:1

Abstinence. Wikipedia defines it as “giving up certain luxuries in imitation of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice during his journey into the desert for 40 days.”

After watching the roundtable discussion about the story I assigned myself to watch today*, I realized why we need to practice abstinence especially during Lent. As we live in this material world, we become addicted or attached to things. We end up being “owned” by them. They dictate the use of our time and resources. Worse, they threaten our wellbeing and relationships. It may not be major, like addiction to alcohol and drugs and attachment to wealth and power. It can be a host of seemingly innocuous things. Say “Aray!” if this hits you:

You deny yourself by eating tuyo and kamatis but will die if you can’t drink from that Venti coffee cup with a green siren.

You have labelled your chocolates “Vitamin C” and take a regular dose for your wellbeing. (Aray!)

You binge watch Korean novelas for 3 straight days without sleep.

You feel naked without your expensive designer bag (original, not Class A from Divisoria).

You’re awake till two in the morning because you want to reach the next level (and the next, and the next…) of your favorite mobile game. (Aray! again)

Ø        > Insert your own list here if you haven’t said “Aray!”

Many times, our attachments make us forget what’s important. It can even lead to illness of body and spirit. I was struck by what the rabbi, the priest and the pastor (no this is not the beginning of a joke) said in the roundtable discussions: “There are different ways evil can try to insert itself into one’s life. When God is missing, a vacuum is created which results in sickness. The lack of wholeness is an opportunity for things that are not of God to come in.”

In the homily for today’s mass, the priest also said that Lent is not just about self-denial. It is also about self-knowledge. It is knowing your identity, your name. Is it Starbucks, Lindt, Soong Ngit (sorry I don’t watch KDrama), Prada, Candy Crush?

So, this Lent, abstain from things that have “owned” you. Let Jesus call you “Mine”.

References:      *The Chosen Season 1 Episode 1 – “I Have Called You By Name”

                        The Chosen S1E1 Bible Roundtable

                      Mass Homily for today – Fr. Eric Salazar: “Self-Knowledge”

One of Us

 

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” – John 1:14

This morning, in my conversation with Jesus, the interviewer in me kicked in. My question for Him was: What was it like for you, fully God, to come into this earth and be fully human? How does your being human affect us? (Feeling KMag writer again 😉)

Jesus came from a perfect place into a perfectly messy place (a stable with animal manure Joseph had to shovel out*). Being fully human, He will not be turned off by the mess you have made of your life. Do not be ashamed to go to Him. He has lived through mess, brokenness and want. After all…

“He was one of us for a time.” – Mother Mary (from The Chosen’s Special Episode – “The Messengers”)

You lost your job in the pandemic and the only bulalo you can afford now comes in instant noodle cups? Jesus felt hunger too.

“Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.” – Matthew 21:18

You are in constant pain because of a dreaded disease. Jesus also felt pain as he was scourged and crowned with thorns.

“Then Pilate ordered that Jesus be scourged. The soldiers twisted together some thorns into a crown and placed it on his head.” – John 19:1-2

You experienced rejection and betrayal? Sumakabilang bahay ang jowa mo? Your business partner ran off with the company funds? Jesus had Peter and Judas.

His being fully human assures us that He understands where we are coming from.

Today as we ponder on the meaning of Lent, let us remember that because of His fully human death, His being Fully God was proven at the Resurrection.

References:      *The Chosen’s Special Episode – “The Messengers”

Grafted’s “The Messengers” – Messianic Reaction to the Birth of Yeshua

Gcu.edu’s article: Dear Theophilus: Is Jesus fully God and Fully Human?

Mass Homily for today – Fr. Jason Laguerta: “Rebuild”; What is Lent?

His Story: People Must Know

 

Lenten Reflection #1

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.”  - Luke 2:17

On Ash Wednesday I tried to think of how I can observe the Lenten season in a more meaningful way. The priest reminded us how in his homily and I mentally ticked them off with side comments:

·        Fasting – I have gastritis issues and I’m afraid this might trigger it. Besides I’m already excused due to my age

·        Abstinence – this I can do despite the age excuse: no-meat Fridays, no decadent sweets, no watching my favorite detective show and Netflix

·        Alms giving – check

·        Sacrifice – check

But early this morning during my prayer time, I felt the above just weren’t enough as I had been doing them year in and year out. I remembered that praying is not all about me asking for God’s mercies (which I admit is what usually makes up my morning prayer), but a conversation with Him, a heart-to-heart with a friend. So, I dispensed with my usual litany and asked Jesus how He was this morning, what did He do yesterday.  It felt funny at first because I really didn’t know what answer to expect. Would he say something like, “Oh, I’m kinda sad. I had to comfort the earthquake victims in Turkey.” Or “I shielded Ukraine from Russian missiles.” Or something like that.

Then, He reminded me about what friends do when they talk. They tell each other their life stories. Old friends already know each other’s life stories but many times they get to know each other more in the re-telling. Or sometimes, foggy memories just get cleared up and you remember why you connect to this person that way, why you love this friend.

That led to my Lenten Journey plan: watch His Story and reflect on bible verses. I planned to keep this a personal journey but the story I watched for today was The Chosen’s Special Episode – “The Shepherd”. It was about the shepherd who received the message of the angel about the birth of Jesus. The tagline of the story was, “People must know.” And so, I must tell people about my journey.

It’s three days into the Lenten season so I won’t be able to complete the 40 days (or God just might find a way to help me do that) but I pray it will still be a meaningful journey of getting to know my friend Jesus more. And by writing about it, pave the way for more people know Him better. To those reading this blog, please pray I will be able to complete the journey. Then join me in telling His Story.

People must know: You can talk to Jesus like a friend.

Richer

 

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7

In my solo parent journey, I went through extremely difficult financial straits especially when my children were still in school. In my book, The Happy Solo Kit (Tools and Supplies You Need to Survive Solo Parenting without Losing Your Marbles), I talked about how I would literally have chest pains every time I did my monthly budget. Hard though those times were, I felt grateful for it was a time of learning. God was teaching me how to manage with less so that I can do better when He gives me more. Most importantly, He taught me to prioritize giving back to Him before allocating for our family’s needs and wants.

When I finally “graduated” from that school of hard knocks, He blessed me big time. I promised to give Him a tenth of that windfall. I called that my “Palpitation to Donation” journey.

I did tithe but lost track and probably did not give the full amount intended. I felt I failed to keep my promise to the full. I was disappointed with myself.

This year, God blessed me again. It was a much smaller amount, not even a tenth of what I had gotten before. But this time I was more diligent with my tithing – Excel-filed and everything. It was so fulfilling every time I typed “remitted” across the allocation for each recipient. My giving back to God was more focused and I put more heart into it. I felt so much richer and fulfilled when I completed the list.

My realization: It is not the amount of wealth you dispense but how much of your heart you give that makes you richer in God’s eyes.