Today is Ash Wednesday and a very important day within a lot of different religions. As for myself, I am, and always have been, a Catholic. But I know that Lent is celebrated in many other religions, as well.
We start Lent with Ash Wednesday. If you are going to church today, you will probably be given ashes on your forehead, as a symbol of: From dust you came, and to dust you will return. Lent is a time for us to prepare ourselves for the memories of Jesus' Passion, Crucifixion and Death on a cross at Calvary.
The significance of this is that Jesus did nothing, not one thing, wrong or offensive. While there were others who committed wrong doings and should have been punished, they weren't. Why? Because even though Jesus did no wrong, the people were afraid of Him and His teachings. He was definitely different than the normal person, as He healed the sick and lame, calmed the seas and helped the mute to see and hear once again. These actions frightened some people, as well as, made them feel inferior. They started lacking self-worth. So, they wanted to punish Jesus, calling Him a liar and a freak.
Today, those folks would be known as bullies. A bully has a very low self esteem, but pretends to themselves and others, that they know everything and that they are special. Therefore, allowing them to bully others who are different. My feelings on this subject is this: It wasn't okay back in Jesus' day and it certainly isn't okay today either. Bullying is just wrong. There is nothing good or Christian about it. So, why do we allow this behavior to go on? I sincerely pray that we soon find a way to stop all this hatred and bullying.
Many people give up something for Lent but I've decided not to do that. I'd rather choose to do good deeds whenever possible during Lent. Also, to pray for everyone daily. We all need prayers in our lives, for without prayer, we are nothing.
Every morning, for quite a long time, I've been reading my Divine Mercy Minutes With Jesus. Each day there is a new post from the diary of St. Faustina, followed by a short prayer. To that reading, I've now added daily readings from, Forty Days to Mercy, A Jubilee Year Lenten Devotional. It only takes about four or five minutes to read both of them and I surely can spare that short time to give praise to God, and to renew myself to Him. How about you? What can you do to glorify God during this very special time of the Church year?
As you well know, as the weeks of Lent go by, we know that on Good Friday, we remember the passion, crucifixion and death of our Beloved Jesus. Then on Easter Sunday, we gladly celebrate the resurrection of Jesus into heaven. But, why do we only celebrate these happenings during the seasons of Lent and Easter?
I will share with you that I remember these events almost every day. I pray, through song, the Divine Mercy Chaplet almost daily. I love it. It is very sad, but I truly believe that Jesus releases His Divine Mercy to each and all, every time we either recite or sing the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It brings me great faith and trust in Jesus, God and The Holy Spirit. For any of you who are not familiar with Saint Faustina, she became a nun and later died from illness, at a young age, in 1938. Her diary has been published and is available for all to read. It contains the conversations between Jesus and her. Jesus asked Faustina to share with everyone His words, if they wanted to get to heaven upon their death. Also, if they wanted to live a peaceful and contented life here on earth.
I tune into the EWTN television station very often. It is the Catholic station and they broadcast many interesting programs. I love being able to participate in the Mass with them. It's no different than being in Church, except that I can only receive Holy Communion, spiritually. The other program that I participate in almost daily is the Divine Mercy Chaplet, in song form. It's such a beautiful way to give praise to God, and also to be reminded of all Jesus suffered for us. (If you have Comcast, it's channel 15)
Please remember to give thanks to God daily, not just during this holy season of Lent. Take care of yourselves physically and spiritually and may Jesus fill you all up with His Divine Mercy, always.
Susan
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