The Lenten season reminds us of our identity, “Who We Are,” and our relationship with God, “Of Whose We Are.” Our response to this reality during the 40 days of Lent is reflected in how we live and make our choices, most notably regarding God.
There are 365 days in a standard year and 366 days in a leap year. Each day has 24 hours, and within each of these days, God calls upon us to take a moment and contemplate. By doing so, we allow ourselves to be renewed and welcome the blessings, graces, and mercies that God has in store for us from the beginning of each new day.
Isn't it amazing to think about God's gestures? Unfortunately, many of us fail to recognize their magnificence. It has become a common practice for most of us to overlook this opportunity. We blame our busy lives and try to juggle more than we can handle. We are always in the fast lane because of how life has become.
And, every year, there are two significant times in the universal Church when we are especially called to prepare ourselves for the Lord: Advent, the season of waiting and anticipation, and Lent, the period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter.
Advent lasts four Sundays and always begins on the Sunday following the three Sundays leading up to Christmas. The first Sunday of Advent is closest to the Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle, on November 30, before or after his feast day.
Anyway, how many are familiar with Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer, which is prayed on his feast day all the way to Christmas Eve? I learned about this probably in 2012 or 2013. I love it!
On the other hand, Lent has 40 days, from Ash Wednesday to Easter, excluding Sundays. It is the most incredible story ever told of God’s profound love and desire to save us from ourselves and worldly things. It sounds like a cliché because it is true. It won’t be the last time this is mentioned, especially around Lent.
As Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, after the Mass concludes, we line up to the altar in the church to mark our foreheads with the ashes. This is common knowledge, I know…
Recalling why I have created this blog site to share my thoughts with you, even if you are already familiar with some of the topics that I discuss. My hope is that by sharing my experiences, one can relate to them and find comfort in the fact that we all advance in our spiritual pursuits at our own pace. This is also to remember that everyone has their unique journey, and we each believe that there is a right time for everything, including spiritual growth. That's why I share my thoughts with you.
So, I will start with Ash Wednesday.
We know that Lent reminds us of our eventual return to God. It is also an opportunity to examine our conscience and reflect on the wrong things we have done, knowingly or unknowingly. During these 40 days, we should consider making reparations and commit to continuing to make amends moving forward. I think that to have this consciousness for 40 days would have already been ingrained deep in our hearts and minds. It's a moment that can either awaken someone for the first time or reawaken them to something they may have forgotten or lost sight of.
Okay, moving on to February 16th, the first Friday of Lent—
During my morning prayer, I expressed my intention to visit Jesus at some point during the day when the Most Blessed Sacrament is exposed for people to revere. Although I got busy with my daily routine, that thought remained with me, and I couldn't shake it off. It felt like an unbreakable promise that I made to myself and to Jesus, and I knew that I had to fulfill it eventually. However, as the hours passed, it became less and less feasible, which I am not proud of admitting here.
Alright, so I did a live video on my Facebook page that afternoon. Like I usually would, I watched the video immediately to critique myself. And yes, I am my worst critic! Anyway, that’s what I did—watched my video. To my surprise, as soon as the video ended playing, the live adoration on the EWTN page played next!
Speaking of being taken by total surprise, what did I do next? I did what I was supposed to do—I dropped everything I planned to do.
That was Jesus in front of me, on my laptop LIVE!
Here is what got me moved to intense joy and having felt so loved by Him— I was struggling to find the time to visit Him, and it was bothering me that I couldn't keep my promise to Him. Something heavenly happened. Jesus met me halfway and presented Himself to me. He knew of my intentions and understood that I would be hard on myself if I couldn't keep my promise that day. With His unfathomable mercy and vast understanding, He made the move Himself as spending time with Him is what makes Him happiest, and I am grateful for His presence in my life and every effort He makes that I keep my thoughts on Him.
Alright, so moving on to the first Sunday of Lent, February 18th.
As is customary in our parish, before the Mass, a Mass organizer randomly selects from the Mass attendants who will bring the bread and wine to the altar during the presentation of the gifts. That said, when the volunteer walks in our direction, I feel a sense of excitement—I have a feeling that something wonderful is about to happen!
I felt overjoyed the entire time, knowing my husband and I would have a special role in the Mass. The fact that it happened on the first Sunday of Lent made it twice as meaningful to me. I thanked God repeatedly for this blessing, especially the minute we processed down the aisle with the gifts and handed them to the priest at the foot of the altar. God surely knows how to make us happy.
You see, we've only had this same opportunity, probably not even ten times in the decade we've been with the parish, which is why the feeling never gets old. I treasure it like a precious blessing, each and every time.
Now is your turn to share your stories ingrained with a heavenly touch. Shoot me a message, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Many Blessings!
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