Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Lent and Everyday Spirituality

Today I was reminded of the season of Lent again. Lent has traditionally been a time for followers of Christ to deny themselves of a worldly desire or pleasure. It's a time in which we focus ourselves more intently upon God without all the distractions of our normal lives. The self-denial of Lent enables us to more fully understand Jesus’ self-denial in going to the Cross. Lent reminds us of our reliance on the Holy Spirit, and not our own achievements, to keep us in relationship with the Father and His Son. Even though Lent is an old tradition, I believe it does allow people's spirituality to be awakened if they engage with it. I believe that Lent shouldn't be celebrated only by a few followers of Christ, it should be accessible to everyone, as I think it can help people to grow in God's Presence.

Apart from denying ourselves of pleasure (or fasting), we can actually do something proactive to celebrate Lent. You can get some good ideas through the Lent Calendar 2005. There are some really meaningful activities worth participating.

One of the examples of the activity was this: Think of a disease that has affected those you love. Press the mute button during TV commercials, and spend the minutes praying for people who suffer from that disease.

I went to St Paul's Cathedral yesterday, and I was invited to write down a prayer for people that I knew who were sick. I didn't do that in the church, but when I saw this suggested activity on the Lent Calendar, I thought of my dad, my grandma and some friends who had died of cancer.....and I spent time praying for those who suffered from cancer right now. Really life is so short and unpredictable! We need to treasure everyday, and cherish the people that we love. Just the other day, I was discussing with a friend about what we would do if we only had one day left to live.

What would you do if you only had one day to live? What's the priority of your life?

12 comments:

Godwyn Lim said...

Dear sister Kitty,

I will still spend my last day to share the goodness of Christ Jesus to any, hoping for their salvation as I know my life does not end here & eternity is in Heaven:-)

I live for Him alone & He had said not to leave me or forsake me ever...Christ the Healer!

Kitty said...

Wow Godwyn, that's awesome!

Mark D said...

I would record myself dictating a book and singing/playing some of the songs I have written and make arrangements for someone to post it on the web so that many people could access it (for free) and hopefully grow as a result. After that was done I'd just spend time with my wife and family, but thinking about that is sad.

Since my near-death experience last September I have thought about death almost every day. Not in a morbid way, but just enough to remind me that every minute of every day is so very precious.

Kitty Cheng said...

Oh Mark! What near-death experience did you have last September? But praise God that you're still alive, and understand that life is so very precious :)

Corry said...

I would spend the entire day looking for every blessing, pointing them out to all and thanking Him for each one of them. And I would ask Him to multiply those blessings a thousand fold and give them to everyone so they could rejoyce in His goodness and grace:-)

God's Grace.

Kitty Cheng said...

Corry, that's such a wonderful way of spending the last day of your day!! I want to copy you too...giving blessing to others so that they could rejoice in His goodness and grace is one of the most meaningful things on earth isn't it?

I think I'll write a long entry on my blog about it on my last day too hehe, so even though we can't be connected face to face, at least you can read what I have in my heart before I die!

Corry said...

I would love to know what would be on your heart that day, before you die, but I sure pray that entry will be looooooooong time from now, God willing:-)

God's Grace.

Patti said...

I would be visiting or calling every person that is special in my life to let them know that I loved them. My dad died this past August and I was so glad to be able to talk to him before he died. So now I try to tell people that as often as I can.

audrey` said...

Yes, I agree with Patti :)

I'll say I love you and it has been a very great blessing knowing you =D

Kitty Cheng said...

Awwww Corry, you're so sweet! :-) I see God's Grace in you dear sis.

Kitty Cheng said...

Yes Patti...thanks for that great reminder to tell people that we love them as often as we can!

Kitty Cheng said...

Audrey, I'll say the same to you =D