Indeed, Lent is the longest spiritual retreat every Christian can or should embark on to prepare and enter joyfully into the Easter joy of the Resurrected Lord. Lenten season is a moment of grace and mercy. We are inviting three actions of forgiveness, conversion and reconciliation with God, others and ourselves, with the attitudes of praying, fasting and almsgiving.
There is no doubt that our words proceed from the goodness or badness of our hearts. The Christian life and faith is not an external display of superficial piety or religiosity. It is a steady, constant and deep spiritual growth and development that bear fruits of goodness. Especially, by the ways, we live and interact with others. Therefore, the uprightness of the heart is from the introspection of spiritual growth from within the Christian Soul.
Our Christian love is to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who abuse you. It is an unconditional love rooted in goodness without the shadow of emotions or feelings of hatred, resentment or vengeance. While our human feelings or love is only to like those who like us, love those who love and act with kindness towards those who do the same with us. It is a conditional love or feelings based on mutuality and interests.
There is no doubt the beatitudes of blessedness and woefulness in the gospel of Luke is one of Christ radical messages that challenge us and unsettle our spirit. It is revolutionary teaching that turns upside down our human values systems. While it demands of us some rare Christian values seen as stupidity or wretchedness in the eyes of the world.
It is beautiful to see the characteristics of sinfulness and unworthiness in the life and person of all those called by God. A true vocation comes with a deep sense of unworthiness to respond to the calling of God. The joyful truth is that God does not choose the perfect but perfect those he has chosen for his service.
The Christian prophetic message is a the heart of Christianity. These faith convictions cannot be silenced through rejection or prejudice. Hence, as Christians, we are all called and commissioned by God to be prophets. Prophets who speak and live out the truth without fear or favour.
The assembly of the people of God is the living body of Christ: the inclusive Church for all. The Church is not just a building or a place of gathering. The Church is a body created by God the Father, saved by God the Son and governed by the Holy Spirit who sanctifies it. The purpose of the Church as a living institution alive and active and constantly undergoing transformation and reformation is the topic of the readings today.
Our lives are full of complexities, but the best solution to these challenges or problems is through the intervention or prayer of Mary. With Mary powerful intercession, whatever difficulties there are in our lives, marriages, families, communities, societies, churches, or the world have quick and effective solutions. Jesus would never deny his dearest mother anything, even when his intervening time is not due.
The Christian baptism is our profound commitment and mission to Christ and his kingdom. It is not just a mere religious ritual or rite of sacred oil, water and words pronouncement. Actually, the sacrament of baptism opens us up to the grace of God and the Christian life.
The Solemnity of the Epiphany is the manifestation of the universal salvation of Christ to the whole wide world. Fundamentally, the Epiphany demonstrates to us that God is a God inclusion. God does not exclude anyone or anything from his saving grace and mercy.