Yes I know this is long overdue since we are now in the third week of Easter celebrations already, but I have been kept pretty busy doing both the Lord’s work and work at the office. On the onset I must say that my Lenten journey this year has been rocky and painful but I have learnt much and have yet more to learn! I will be as brief as possible and share only the most important points/lessons that I have learned and experienced.
Many observe the Lenten fast or abstinence in their own way i.e. according to their own faith level and even physical constitution. For me, I did a 12 hour fast from food and water beginning each they at 5 am the fast started from 6am till 6pm in the evening. The first few days were the toughest since the body wants what is wants but soon enough it adjusted and I could concentrate on why I was emptying myself and let the Lord fill me with His love. To realise that our bodies does not actually need that much food or drink to survive, and that discipline of the body aids in spiritual discipline as well.
The closer I got to the Lord my God in the journey, the greater too the temptations to stray. And when I could no longer attend daily Mass since my wife returned to work after her maternity leave was over, I found myself not only hungering and thirsting for the Eucharist but my propensity to sin increased. The Eucharist is indeed a great gift of Love for us, the nourishment we need to resist sin and to remain in communion with our one Triune God and His children our brothers and sisters. Another great gift of Love is the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God receiving us close to His bosom even though we had strayed, freeing us from the bondage of sin and allowing His peace and Love to flow through our very being. I experienced His love for me even when I could not go for the sacrament till six days later, He knew I had fallen once again but with a contrite heart I cried out to Him and He heard me. He gave me consolations of peace and love till I manage to embrace Him once again in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The height and summit of the Lenten journey for me started on Maundy Thursday evening. I had been tasked to prepare and lead the adoration prayers for the Altar of Repose immediately after the Maundy Thursday Eucharistic Celebration, and through much prayer and with the power of the Holy Spirit the adoration touched many who attended. Also the presence of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ our Lord was greatly felt by most who later attended the Lenten Vigil which followed from midnight to 6am Good Friday morning. I am certain that most, if not all who attended grew very much closer to God in prayer and worship. The team did a fantastic job, with videos of the passion of Christ, Praise and Worship sessions, meditation on the sorrowful mystery of the Rosary, Meditation on the powerful healing in uniting our sufferings with the Passion of Christ, Mediations on the Lord’s Supper and the stations of the cross. Again I am very thankful for being able to participate and contribute in two of the meditations that morning. It is indeed a powerful testament to witness God’s hand and to feel His presence throughout the Vigil, this only happens when we allow ourselves to be led and allow Him to work through us. Praise Be To God! Allelulia, Allelulia, Alleluia!
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