RICCI EARL G.

LAURON
BSCRIM 2
REFLECTION NO. 2

ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday, a day of prayer and fasting, signifies the beginning of Lent.

The personal question/action for today:

1) How am I going to make Lent a time of drawing closer to the Lord Jesus?

For me, I should test myself by making sacrifices as Jesus made for us,
even if our tiny sacrifices will never equal God's ultimate sacrifice. I can also
make a point of praying more and assisting those in need. I know that every time
I volunteer at a homeless shelter or assist someone in need, I feel terrific
afterwards. Sometimes we need to know what we don't want to do in order to feel
happy, better about ourselves, and closer to God. As we draw closer to God over
the next 40 days, we must remember what it is all about. We are preparing for
Christ's final passion and death on the cross. This is an unrivaled act of self-
sacrifice. As we begin this Lenten season, we recall Jesus teaching his followers
about almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. We utilize his teachings to make our own
sacrifices and honor him, just as he demonstrated to his disciples.

2) What forms of almsgiving can I perform besides just giving money?

Giving valuable time and dedication to doing things that could help people,
wherein its effects will have a great impact on the families' way of living and also
their spiritual mindset. An act of love that can deepen our prayer life and bring a
greater sense of meaning to fasting. Almsgiving incorporates the spiritual
practices of prayer and fasting that manifest themselves by caring for other less
fortunate people's needs.
3) From what can I fast so that I will have time to be with the Lord Jesus and be
filled with the blessings which GOD has in store for me?

Prayer is amongst the things that are done in fasting. Without prayer,
fasting is not complete fasting; it’s simply going hungry. If we want our fasting to
be more than just going without eating, we must lift our hearts, our minds, and
our voices in communion with our Heavenly Father. Fasting, coupled with mighty
prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can
strengthen us against times of temptation. The longer we live, the more
impressed I am with the Lord’s system of caring for the poor and needy. Surely
no man would think of such a simple yet profound way of satisfying human needs
to grow spiritually and temporally through periodic fasting and then donating the
amount saved from refraining from partaking of those meals to the bishop to be
used to administer to the needs of the poor, the ill, the downtrodden, who need
help and support to make their way through life.

4) What extra ways will I spend time in prayer during Lent?

These are other ways I want to spend time in prayer during Lenten season:

 Make your abstinence a prayer-in-action.

 Renew yourself through personal reflective prayer.
 Pray the Stations of the Cross.
 Meditate on Holy Scripture with Lectio Divina.
 Reflect deeper on your liturgical prayer.
 Join or start a prayer group.
 Pray with children or as a family.
 Start a practice of daily prayer that will last after Lent.

5) How can I help others have a more spiritual experience of Lent this year?

I can assist them by persuading them to read the Bible and perform acts
of service for others on a daily basis. As an example, you could assist others in
cleaning the church or preparing materials for the Lenten season. I will also
persuade them to volunteer at our parish. In addition, I plan to bring my friends
with me to the events during the Lenten season, particularly the "7 Last Words of
Jesus." I am confident that it will significantly alter their spiritual outlook.