40 Days of Lent: Day 19
18 Mar 2023 | Office for Mission and Identity (OMI)
40 Days of Lent: Day 19
In the midst of the many things going on, have you taken the time to breathe slowly and take pleasure in the air? Despite the challenging news that come every day, have you looked around to appreciate the free gifts of the sun, the moon and the stars? As you aim to accomplish your long list of matters to do, have you noticed the many parts of nature simply and quietly giving life?
Sometimes, we need to consciously choose to take a pause from our busy schedule to marvel at what is before us. With the daily rush, we can be ignoring what could comfort us and remind us that there is hope and new beginnings. This Lent, we may even be not paying attention to the fact that many centuries ago, a man offered his life for our sake. And the Lord’s gift did not even stop there. For His providence continues with our every breath, with the light of the sky, and the fruits that nature brings.
With nineteen days left of this season of prayer and reflection, we do not have to look far for where we can find opportunities to be close with our Creator and Lover. Look around you, pay attention and relish. What gifts of creation can you appreciate? Do you notice the magnificence of trees that give shade, the exquisiteness of animals like how cats walk or how dogs play, and the wonder of small creations such as insects and ants? Can you allow yourself to soak in the free gifts of the environment? Even when Jesus already offered himself on the cross, God’s salvation and love may be difficult to accept and understand sometimes. It's a blessing that we are continuously reminded that it is one certainty in our life. Today, may we choose to take notice.
40 Araw ng Kuwaresma: Ika-19 na Araw
Sa lahat ng mga nangyayari, may panahon ka pa bang langhapin nang may galak ang simoy ng hangin? Sa mga mapanghamong balita araw-araw, natatanaw mo pa ba ang paligid upang kilalanin ang likas na biyaya ng araw, buwan at bituin? Sa pagiging abala sa haba ng listahan ng mga gawain, napapansin mo rin ba ang kapayakan ng kalikasan at kakayahan nitong magkaloob ng buhay?
Minsan, kailangan kusaing ihimpil ang pagka-aligaga upang mamangha sa mga nasa harapan natin. Sa pagmamadali araw-araw, marahil hindi na napapansin iyong maaaring makapagbigay ng kapanatagan at magpaalala na may pag-asa at bagong panimula. Ngayong Kuwaresma, maaaring hindi sumasaisip ang katotohanang ilang siglo na ang nakalipas, may nag-alay ng kanyang buhay para sa atin. At hindi pa nga roon huminto ang biyaya ng Panginoon. Sapagkat nagpapatuloy ang Kanyang pagkakaloob sa bawat paghinga natin, sa liwanag ng langit, at sa tinatamasang mga bunga ng kalikasan.
Sa nalalabing labing-siyam na araw nitong panahon ng panalangin at pagninilay, hindi kailangang lumayo upang mapalapit tayo sa Tagapaglikha at Mangingibig. Tumingin sa paligid, mag-ukol ng tuon at namnamin. Anong mga biyaya ng paglikha ang maaari mong bigyan ng halaga? Napapansin mo ba ang karilagan ng mga puno na nagbibigay ng lilim, ang kariktan ng mga hayop gaya ng kung paano maglakad ang mga pusa at maglaro ang mga aso, ang hiwaga ng maliliit na nilikha tulad ng mga insekto at langgam? Maaari mo bang tulutan ang sarili na mapuspusan ng mga abot-kamay na handog ng kalikasan? Bagaman inialay na ni Hesus ang kanyang sarili sa krus, maaaring mahirap pa ring tanggapin at maunawaan minsan ang pagliligtas at pag-ibig ng Diyos. Isang biyaya na patuloy na may nagpapaalala sa katiyakan nito sa ating buhay. Ngayong araw, nawa maging malay rito.
#ateneoishome #aihfortydaysoflent #aihday19oflent
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