A pilgrim's journal. Writings, reflections, about my beliefs, devotion and love to our Almighty Father God & my Saviour Lord Jesus Christ. Always, Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, she-hakol barah lichvodo.. "Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has created everything for your glory."
I am simply thankful now to our Lord God. He has given me a lot of things to be thankful for. I know I am contented in this state of life I am now but a lot of things still troubles me. My marital life is not that blissful but I know the downs that I am experiencing, my husband tribulations in his job and family life, everything has a reason.
As I am writing this down, I realize God's goodness toward me. He led me to the married life because He knows if I become single, I will be burdened even more with my family problems. My older brother and I, we are not really okay. He has been discouraging me in having a boyfriend, getting married and even having a child (during the pandemic season, saying it is difficult). I don't and will not ever regret getting married. I also thank God for giving me a cute and lovely daughter even if she's very naughty. When I see my husband and child and our beautiful and simple house in the province, I am thankful to Him. I am thankful that He gave me a religious family through my husband, his parents are church servers and religious. They are also church goers.
Before I dreamed of having my own laptop. My late aunt whom I call Mama Nitz gave me one. But that one was already broken a long time ago. Now, I bought my own tablet, reasonably price and it works well. I can do this simple typing and watch from YouTube. My guardian angel is a witness to this. I also will try to be faithful to Him as a Carmelite. In the end, My Lord Jesus is the only One, the One who can fill the empty void in my heart. Always, I will be thankful to Him, even if I don't say it often, He knows my heart more than I do.
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that made us
whole, and with His stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5
Lenten
season is a time of fasting and abstinence for Catholics all over the globe. The
remembrance of our Lord’s passion and death. They consider this time as a
fitting day to practice mortification, penance, and for meditation on the
mystery of our redemption.
Is
it really a mystery? Christ has shown us clearly through His death and resurrection,
that He has won over death, evil and sin. There’s nothing really “hidden” in
that. In abstaining from something, like from eating meat or
extravagant food within this season or in anytime of the year, I don’t see
anything wrong with that. As long we do it with good intention.
A
lot of people now are re-enacting the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus in
the streets and especially in the provinces, particularly in Pampanga. It is
really indeed troubling. Curious
journalist have interviewed these people and most of them answered that they’re
doing this in order for them to atone for their sins, that somehow this “act” will
“lessen”or diminish the amount of sin in their lives. In Ephesians 2:8, we are
reminded that it is not through our works that we are saved but through our
faith. I once heard a pastor, explaining that our body is the temple of the
Holy Spirit, and we are responsible for our own body. So these acts of
mortification and inflicting pain in ourselves, doesn’t really glorify our Lord
GOD. No amount of penitence or sacrifices can ever pay our sins! The good thing
is that JESUS, has paid it all for us! Completely!
This
time is an opportunity for us to reflect and meditiate on Our Lord’s passion,
death and resurrection, to understand its significance and importance. More
than family bonding, and get together,why not, bond by reading the the gospel
and study the good news! You can also watch Christian movies like “The Passion
of Christ”. Let us use this time wisely. I have
nothing against going out and bonding with one another but remember this is not
always about having fun or about ourselves! It’s all about HIM!
I am
amazed by Our Lord’s great love for us. When I accepted Him in my life that is
when I really understood, His sacrifice for us and GOD’s amazing grace to a
sinner like me. Like a line from one of my favorite Christian song – “In His
suffering He thought of me. He gave His life for me and He made a way for me to
know Him!” What kind of love is that? So selfless!”
In
closing, I’d like to say a short prayer.
“Dear
Almighty Father in heaven, thank You for sending Your only son, our Lord Jesus.
For His stripes we are healed. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your great love to us.
Thank You for being my Lord and Savior and for not giving up on me. Guide me
always everyday.” Amen.
-- (click on the title link below to redirect you to the music video)
