lenten recollection 2015

GLCUM 2015 LENTEN RECOLLECTION!

Lent Etymology

• The word Lent, which we employ to denote the forty days' fast preceding Easter, originally meant no more than the spring season. Still it has been used from the Anglo-Saxon period to translate the more significant Latin term quadragesima, meaning the "forty days", or more literally the "fortieth day"

• On the Christian calendar, Lent is the 40-day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter. When it was first observed in the fourth century, its focus was on self-examination and self-denial in preparation for Easter, and Christians used fasting (abstaining from eating food) in the early years as a visible demonstration of this process. (Richard Wagner)

• Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras, usually begins with a service where we:

-recognize our mortality, -repent of our sins, and -return to our loving God. • We recognize life as a

precious gift from God, and re-turn our lives towards Jesus Christ.

Why ashes?

• In Jewish and Christian history, ashes are a sign of mortality and repentance.

• This was their way of confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness.

• While the ashes remind us of our mortality and sin, the cross reminds us of Jesus' resurrection (life after death) and forgiveness.

• It's a powerful, non-verbal way that we can experience God's forgiveness and renewal as we return to Jesus.

40 (FORTY)• It rained for 40 days and 40 nights. (Genesis 7:12).• Moses was on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights.

(Exodus 24:18, 34:1 - 28)• The Israelites wandered 40 years. (Numbers 32:13)• Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days. (Mk. 1:12-15 , Mt 4,Lk. 4)• Was seen on the earth for 40 days after His crucifixion. (Acts 1:3)

Significance of the number 40 in the Bible

Mentioning 146 times in Scripture, the number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation and ends with a period of restoration, revival or renewal.

Recollecting the Gospels of Lent

1st Sunday of Lent:-Mk. 1:12-15 (He was tempted by Satan, and the angels looked after him.)

2nd Sunday of Lent:-Mk. 9:2-10 (this is my son, the beloved; listen to him.)

3rd Sunday of Lent:-Jn. 2:13 / Jn. 4:5-42 (Destroy this sanctuary and in three days I will raise it up.)

4th Sunday of Lent:-Jn. 3:14-21 (God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.)

1st Sunday of Lent:-Mk. 1:12-15 (He was tempted by Satan, and the angels looked after him.)

2nd Sunday of Lent:-Mk. 9:2-10 (this is my son, the beloved; listen to him.)

3rd Sunday of Lent:-Jn. 2:13 / Jn. 4:5-42 (Destroy this sanctuary and in three days I will raise it up.)

4th Sunday of Lent:-Jn. 3:14-21 (God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.)

5th Sunday of LentJn. 12:20-33 / Jn. 11:1-45( If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest. )

Going to the Scriptures:

Scripture: John 19:31-37 • 31 Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to

prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; 33 but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

• 35 He who saw it has borne witness -- his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth -- that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken." 37 And again another scripture says, "They shall look on him whom they have pierced."

"Not a bone of him shall be broken."

• The law of Moses stated that the lamb sacrificed for the Passover feast must not have any bones broken.

• "They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute for the passover they shall keep it." (Numbers 9:12).

“They will look upon him

whom they have pierced”Jn. 19:37

"They shall look on him whom they have pierced."

• …when they look on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a first-born." (Zechariah 10:12)

What is the significance of the water and blood flowing from Jesus' pierced side?

• It is likely that John saw in it a sign of the waters of baptism which cleanses us from sin

• and the cleansing blood of the Lord's Supper. "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." (Luke 22:20)

• And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up. (Jn 3:14; cf. Numbers 21:9)

• And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." Jn 12:32

“They will look upon him whom they have pierced”Jn. 19:37

He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for

righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and

guardian of your souls. (1Peter 24-25)

EASTER TRIDUUMEvening of Holy ThursdayEvening of Good

Friday (1st full day)

Evening of Good FridayEaster Vigil(2nd full day)

Easter VigilEaster Evening(3rd full day)

EASTER TRIDUUM

Service and Love

THE LOVE OF JESUS

EASTER TRIDUUMThe Last Supper, His trial and crucifixion, His time in the tomb,

and His Resurrection from the dead. In this way, "the mystery ofthe Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with

its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to him" (CCC 1169). During these three days of contemplation and anticipation the liturgies emphasize the sacrificial death of Christ on the Cross, and the sacraments of baptism and the

Eucharist, by which the faithful enter into the life-giving Passion of Christ and grow in hope of eternal life in Him.”

-Carl E. Olson

EASTER VIGIL

Easter Vigil: Celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection

“Easter is the high point of the year”

SufferingSulat ni Apostol Pablo sa mga taga Roma 8:17

At kung mga anak, ay mga tagapagmana nga; mga tagapagmana sa Dios, at mga kasamang tagapagmana ni Cristo; kung gayon nga makipagtiis tayo sa kaniya, upang tayo'y lumuwalhati namang kasama niya.

Glory and Resurrection

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What is your story ofHAPPINESS AND

SORROWS ?

Panalangin, Pagaayuno at Pag-aabuloy

Pakikiisa kay Kristo at paghahanda sa muling pagkabuhay.

Ang tatlong aspetong ito ay konektado sa isat-isa.

Panalangin

Panalangin sa Gethsemane

Pag-aayuno

Pag-aabuloy

Ano ang Hamon sa Atin?

MAHAL TAYO NG DIYOS