Lenten Recollection

Recollection
It is a time to check where our
heart is, for wherever it is, there
your treasure be.
It is also the time to step back, to
discover and to seek for more
lasting and enduring values.
A. Terminology:

LENT > old english lencten

(springtime between winter and summer)

> Latin QUADRAGESIMA

(time period of 40 days)
> Spanish: CUARESMA
> Tagalog: KUWARESMA
B. Meaning:

***Lent period of 40 days before Easter,

intended to be a time

of extensive preparation

for the celebration

of the Paschal Mystery.

* period of 40 days:

(1) Genesis 7
Noah (rain for 40 days and 40 nights)

(2) Exodus 16
journey through the Promised Land

(3) Matthew 4
temptation by the devil
* extensive preparation
- not only celebrations but challenges

* for the celebration of the PASCHAL MYSTERY

- this season must lead to the Easter Season
- prelude to the Resurrection of Our Lord
- Paschal Triduum
(Holy Thursday Easter Sunday)
 John 1:35-42New International Version (NIV)
Johns Disciples Follow Jesus
35 The next day John was there again with two of his
disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said,
Look, the Lamb of God!
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they
followed Jesus.38 Turning around, Jesus saw them
following and asked, What do you want?
They said, Rabbi (which means Teacher),
where are you staying?
39 Come, he replied, and you will see.
So they went and saw where he was staying, and
they spent that day with him. It was about four in
the afternoon.
 What struck you most in the
passage? Is your life pointing
towards the Lord?
Are you willing to become disciples
of God? Are you willing to live with
Him and experience Him?
Matthew 20:29-34New International Version (NIV)
Two Blind Men Receive Sight
29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large
crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the
roadside, and when they heard tha
t Jesus was going by, they shouted, Lord, Son of
David, have mercy on us!
31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet,

but they shouted all the louder, Lord, Son of David,

have mercy on us!
32 Jesus stopped and called them. What do you want me

to do for you? he asked.

33 Lord, they answered, we want our sight.

34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their

eyes. Immediately they received their sight and

followed him.
New International Version (NIV)
 Jesus Calls His First Disciples
5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were
crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the waters
edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He
got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a
little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into deep water,

and let down the nets for a catch.

5 Simon answered, Master, weve worked hard all night and havent caught

anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets

began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and
help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus knees and said, Go away from

me, Lord; I am a sinful man! 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at
the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of
Zebedee, Simons partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, Dont be afraid; from now on you will fish for
people. 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed
him.
 FAST from judging others;
FEAST on the Christ indwelling them.

FAST from emphasis on differences;

FEAST on the unity of all life.

FAST from apparent darkness;

FEAST on the reality of light.
 FAST from thoughts of illness;
FEAST on the healing power of God.

FAST from words that pollute;

FEAST on phrases that purify.

FAST from discontent;

FEAST on gratitude.
 FAST from anger;
FEAST on patience.

FAST from pessimism;

FEAST on optimism.

FAST from complaining;

FEAST on appreciation.
 FAST from worry;
FEAST on divine order.

FAST from negatives;

FEAST on affirmatives.

FAST from unrelenting pressures;

FEAST on unceasing prayer.
 FAST from hostility;
FEAST on non-resistance.

FAST from bitterness;

FEAST on forgiveness.

FAST from self-concern;

FEAST on compassion for others.
FAST from personal anxiety;
FEAST on eternal Truth

FAST from discouragement;

FEAST on Hope.

FAST from facts that depress;

FEAST on truths that uplift.
 FAST from apathy;
FEAST on enthusiasm.

FAST from suspicion;

FEAST on truth.

FAST from thoughts that weaken;

FEAST on promises that inspire.
 FAST from shadows of sorrow;
FEAST on the sunlight of serenity.

FAST from problems that overwhelm;

FEAST on prayer that sustains.
2. ALMSGIVING
Paglilimos
(Me and Others)

* Alay Kapwa

* CONCERN and LOVE for others

* sharing our Treasure, Talents and Time

 Ministry or Job???

Some people have a job in the church.

Others invite themselves to a ministry.

Whats the difference?

 If you are doing it
because no one else will, its a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord,
its a ministry.

If you quit because somebody criticized you,

its a job. If you keep on serving,
its a ministry.
If you monopolize what you are doing, its a
job. If you involve others to learn it,
its a ministry.

If you highly value your expertise and

knowledge, its a job. If you care for others
to develop expertise, its a ministry.
If you consider yourself indispensable,
its a job. If you reach out to others
so they will grow, its a ministry.

If you are afraid of being replaced by a

better worker, its a job. If you rejoice in
discovering a successor, its a ministry.
 If youll do it only as long as it does not
interfere with your other activities, its a job.
If you are committed to staying with it even
if it means letting go of other things, its a
ministry.
 If you quit because no one praise
or thank you, its a job.
If you stay with it even though nobody
recognized your effort, its a ministry.
 If you are too result-oriented, its a job;
If what you do no matter how small is
offered as an act of worship and service,
its a ministry.

If you feel sad being deprived of a position,

its a job; If you are happy to fade away
after your time, its a ministry.
If you want to escape or avoid it, its a job;
If it is seen as a challenge and as a gift,
its a ministry.
Its hard to get excited about a job.
Its almost impossible
not to get excited about a ministry.

An average church is filled

with people doing jobs.

A great and growing church is filled

with people involved in ministry.
 Where do you fit in?

What about us?

If God calls you to a ministry,

dont treat it like a job.
If you have a job,
give it up and find a ministry.
3. Prayer
Panalangin
(Me and God)

* deeper and broader relationship with God

* popular piety and traditions

 Points for Reflection
1.) Paano nagiging makahulugan sa buhay
mo ang panahong ito ng Kuwaresma?

2.) Anu-anong mga ninanais mong isagawa

bilang isang kasapi ng Ministry of
Proclaimers, upang mas lalong maging
makabuluhan ang iyong pagdiriwang ng
Kuwaresma at ng Muling Pagkabuhay ng
Panginoon?