5th Sunday of Lent

title:Wash Me
date taken:12.21.08
location: St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Vallejo, California

From Today's Psalm:
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.

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4th Sunday of Lent

title:[untitled]
date:04.22.09
location: St. Joseph Marello Youth Center, Loomis, CA
Photograph Taken by: A Devigal

From This Sunday's Gospel:
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

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3rd Sunday of Lent

title:The Weakness of God
date taken: 12.19.2008
location: Crypt of the Cathedral of Light, Oakland, California

From Today's Readings:
Brothers and sisters:
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

commentary:
sometimes, i should just let the Word of God speak for itself: the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

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Second Sunday of Lent

title:Obedience
date: summer 2008
location: US Pilgrims Mass, Sydney, Australia

From today's reading:
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth
shall find blessing—
all this because you obeyed my command.

commentary: Hands held together palm to palm, aka prayer hands, has been a common prayer posture for thousands of years, even practiced by pre-Christian Jews. This posture symbolizes obedience, fidelity, loyalty.

In the first reading today, we read that Abraham finds blessing with God because he obeyed His command. I remember reflecting at the beginning of this year, that this year would be a year of obedience. It has been tough so far. And parallelly it has only been through prayer that I even get close to being obedient to God.

When we look further into the history of this prayer posture we see this deeply moving connection. As highlighted by Pope Benedict in his book "The Spirit of Liturgy," obedience goes Hand-in-Hand [pun intended] with trust:

The recipient of a feudal estate, on taking tenure, placed his joined hands in those of his lord - a wonderful symbolic act. I lay my hands in yours, allow yours to enclose mine. This is an expression of trust as well as of fidelity.

How amazing it would be, if we prayed this way... I lay my hands in yours.

Now, next time you bring your hands together in prayer, maybe it will mean so much more. I know it has for me.

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First Sunday of Lent

title:Death in the flesh
date: February 5, 2008
location: Outback Steakhouse, Pinole, Ca
Shot with camera phone

From Today's readings:
Beloved:
Christ suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.

commentary:So, this isn't the most deeply moving image that has appeared on this blog. I know. Work with me. See, this is a picture of my own personal Carnevale, farewell to the flesh, for last year's Lent. Man, was that good. And I remember being only weeks days into Lent, with this picture on my phone, and I was just salivating - almost viciously craving meat.

Today is the First Sunday of Lent. Many of us probably aren't "suffering" for what we gave up yet. Maybe some of us are, others may have broken their Lenten promises already. Me? Yes, I'm craving meat already. But it's okay. More than my physical needs, I know this Lent is going to be challenging for spiritual needs. I want to do what the Gospel calls today, put to death the flesh, and live in the spirit. Let me share with you a reflection that has helped me get through my cravings of the flesh. Remember, whilst you crave things of this world, Christ craves you.

And hopefully, when Easter comes, you won't run as quickly as you can to that snickers bar, or to that secular music or to that sin you so deeply lust for. Maybe, just maybe, you will run as quickly as you can to the empty tomb. With great anticipation and a pounding heart, hopefully, we will all run to the Risen Christ.

Crave Christ.

Happy Lent Sisters and Brothers.

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