tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post2871438178753905730..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: The deeper purpose and meaning of our Catholic Lenten practicesFr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-69975177692646276812014-03-15T08:33:50.369+08:002014-03-15T08:33:50.369+08:00Hi Fr. Luke,
The Sunday before Ash Wednesday a fr...Hi Fr. Luke,<br /><br />The Sunday before Ash Wednesday a friend of mine asked me, "So what are you giving up for Lent?" It made me feel silly, so I laughed. It seemed like - (and this happens every year) somehow we were comparing notes on just how 'holy' we were going to be for this period. As if.<br /><br /> I answered that I hadn't really decided yet - and that in any case any form of self-denial should be done in secret; just as with the giving of alms. <br /><br />I suppose I could see Lent in this light. I am a captain of a ship, which is on a long and perilous journey. Every so often I would have to get my bearings (from some unmovable marker) and calculate just how little (or much) I've deviated from the true - and make some course adjustments to compensate for the strong currents that would inevitably push me this way and that. (Even the largest, heaviest ships are not immune from this effect). So: in order to stay on course we need to do this on a regular basis. (Not a terribly good analogy, but then no analogy is perfect). <br /><br />And that's Lent. Time to take stock of how we've fallen so short of returning the love that God has showered on us. Thank you, Fr. Luke for your sharing. God bless you.<br />Robbie Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-15276493610562761402014-03-12T16:32:48.524+08:002014-03-12T16:32:48.524+08:00As always, it is rather difficult to give up the t...As always, it is rather difficult to give up the things we take for granted in our daily lives. Abstaining from meat this Lent did not stop me from cooking meat for my family (all meat eaters, greens are "poison") even though they wondered how I could cook and not eat it? Where there's a will, there's a way and I will not falter. Trust in God and He will provide.luvfenixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14219506985543037186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-63023161184393212302014-03-10T10:41:10.106+08:002014-03-10T10:41:10.106+08:00Thank you frLuke, thank you. It's like a almo...Thank you frLuke, thank you. It's like a almost a week into Lent and all that i have done was fast on Ash Wednesday only. Reflecting your ruminations, i guessed i didn't love our Lord as much as i thought i loved. i used my daily prayer time as barometer to 'measure' my love for Him and i think this is not enough as that prayer time has now become "an automatic habit." Abstinence (of meat), especially on Fridays, is my greatest difficulty. Hmmm Lord, shall i take up this challenge to gauge my love for You. So i pray O Lord, grant me the grace :)<br /><br />wtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com