╬February 25, Wednesday Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

My Reflections:
Today is Ash Wednesday the start of the season of Lent this day also is a day of Fasting. All of us will be attending Mass and let ourselves be marked by a cross made of Ash and the Priest/Lay Minister will tell us: “Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19).

In the gospel Jesus gives us valuable lessons on giving: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you.”

Lessons on how to pray: “"When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.”

Lesson on proper fasting: “do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting.”

Sometimes we are swayed by the trappings of the secular world we are prone to temptations. like for example in giving, we want others to see that we give or donate. The worst part of it is we give because we don't need it or it is our spare so we give. Is this the true essence of giving?

On the aspect of prayer and fasting we want others to see us praying/fasting to give that impression that we are pius and prayerful but our real intent is for others to see it so that they'll have a good impression of us. If only they knew our true motives.

The Lenten season reminds us not to subscribe to the temporary values of this world let us rather walk the path of Jesus. ...

╬February 26, Thursday Luke 9:22-25

My Reflections:
Jesus gives us a paradoxical statement: "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?"

On the surface this may seem to be an odd statement but if we are faithful followers of Christ this is a priceless and wisdom filled words of Jesus. Once we decide to follow the path of Jesus we will deny ourselves with the inducement of this world and we will courageously carry our cross and follow Him. Amidst the carrying of our daily cross we will notice that it is not that heavy simply because Jesus is with us. Helping us carry whatever cross that we have.

When Jesus was carrying the cross towards Golgotha/Calvary His cross became a sign of suffering and intense pain. However the same cross became the sign of Triumph and Salvation.

What is the Cross that you are carrying right now? Humbly ask Jesus to help you carry your Cross. ...

╬February 27, Friday Matthew 9:14-15

My Reflections:
Obviously the Pharisees and the disciples of John didn’t know that Jesus is the Messiah that’s why they’ve asked Jesus: "Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?" if only they knew who was before them. They could have ignored to fast also.

The church teaches us that we have to observe fasting during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday only. Does it have any basis in the Bible? Yes, “He had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles: "Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish."(Jonah 3:7-9). “He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.”(Matthew 4:2).

Yesterday being Ash Wednesday I fasted for more than 24 hrs. And it was a very edifying experience somehow I felt the feeling of Jesus during the first day of His forty days fast. I’ve also discovered that I can still be productive even without food for as long as I focus my attention to the real intent of my fasting which is to walk in the path of Jesus when He fasted. ...

╬February 28, Saturday Luke 5:27-32

My Reflections:
The insight that we can get from this gospel is the steadfast desire of Jesus to call us all to conversion. He called Levi the corrupt tax collector to conversion and Levi followed without question. Perhaps Levi was already tired of his sinful life. And prior to the call of Jesus he may have heard about the life changing words and miracles of Jesus.

Levi abandoned his sinful past and lived his future life with Jesus and his life was never the same again.

Jesus’ call for Levi to conversion is His call for us too. For a long time we may have been living in sin, for a long time we may have been hearing marvellous words about Jesus. Why not try to respond and follow Jesus.

Jesus said: "I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."

Try Jesus, Just try following Him and I assure you that it will be the best decision that you will ever make in you life. ...