Introduction to Lauds (Saturday: Lent).

I prepared this reflections in the year 2003 for the seminary community. At that time i did not have a blog, so since I still find the message relevant even until today, I have decided to publish it here. The reflections is based from the 2003 Lenten Message of the Holy Father .
Lauds (Lent, Saturday)
CHARITY...a mark of Christian Life.
Lent, is the time for us to journey with Jesus on the Way of the Cross. As we recall the sufferings of Christ, we are also being invited to reach out to our suffering sisters and brothers around us. Lent is a season of intense prayer, fasting and concern for those in need.

Many times we had only focused on ourselves, whereas on others only during the Lenten Collections, and at times that is just to justify ourselves that we are already doing a lot.

The Holy Father's message speaks out clearly in today's scripture reading taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah; "Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, search for justice, help the oppressed, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow" (Is.1:16-17).

We do not have to go far to do all this. Open our eyes and we can see, around us in the community; 'the oppressed', 'the orphan', 'the widow', 'the needy'. It is not going to be easy, but let us take up the challenge and give ourselves as a free gift to others.

So as we pray, we reflect; what are the obstacles that are preventing us from giving ourselves to others, and we surrender them to God.

As a person wanting to be a witness to the Gospel of Charity, we pray...