“Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing” – Luke 23:34.
“Today you will be with me in paradise”, Luke 23:43.
These were the first and second last words of Christ on the cross. Christ humbled himself accepting the will of God to die for our sins. This is the real substance of the meaning of Lent, that is to practice humility and forgiveness as manifested by our lord Jesus Christ.
Lent is the most important celebration and commemoration of the death of Christ on the cross by all Christians around the world. It is a time for reflections, fasting, repentance, spiritual discipline. The Lenten season is also a reminder to all of us that amidst all the suffering and conflict we are going through, there will always be a glimmer of hope, akin to the celebration of Easter, the resurrection of Christ.
For Christians, no matter how earnest and intense your prayers are, if your heart is full of hate, greed or envy, the sacred time is meaningless. According to Matthew 7:23 Christ said, “Not everyone who said Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
There are those who pray often, yet their hearts are as cold as ice and full of deceit – will they have a place in Heaven? In contrast there are people who are agnostic or atheist, yet their hearts are pure, kind and caring. Indeed these are two extreme examples, but I firmly believe that your actions, the way you treat people, and if you have an inner peace within yourself and others, is what truly matters!
Happy Easter to all!
Excerpt from my book MY INNERMOST THOUGHTS
Prayers are not the only way to communicate with God
There are other ways, such as a simple act of kindness to others
I am close to mother nature while working in my garden
I can show my appreciation of all the beautiful creations He had given us
I am a good mother, grandmother, friend and respect for others
Following all HIS commandments and what matters most is following
All that HE preaches. These are more potent ways
Of expressing my love for “HIM” other than prayers!!
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