Truly Rich Reflections: It’s All About Love — How Lent and Valentine’s Day Are Connected

February 14, 2013 by Tina

I believe it’s no coincidence that the readings for today, Valentine’s Day, speak about choosing life and love.

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

“Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the Lord, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy. I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land that the Lord swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:22-25

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly andbe rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

Some people may be thinking, “How can we reconcile the solemn observation of Lent with the lovey-dovey ‘commercialized’ celebration of Valentine’s Day?” Actually, many of us Catholics may not know this, but St. Valentine’s Day has actually been officially removed from the Catholic Liturgical Calendar (you can read more about that here; thanks to Jennifer of Catholic Inspired for the link!).

Well, let me say it plainly for you:

It’s all about LOVE.

Lent is a time for repentance, fasting, sacrifices, more prayer, more good works, etc. Yes, true. And many people may feel gloomy just thinking about it.

But if we focus on the reason behind it all — all the seemingly “burdensome” things associated with Lent will not seem so heavy after all.

So what IS the main purpose behind Lent?

It is this:

We are called to choose the Lord. To choose love. To choose life. To deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him.

Not with a heavy heart. Not with a sad face. Not with a “Look at me! I’m holier than thou!” attitude.

But with hope, joy, humility. 🙂

Whatever we choose to do today — whether we’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day with our loved ones or not {we’re not 😉 — though we usually don’t every year anyway}, let’s remember to choose love over hate; life over death; selflessness over selfishness; humility over pride.

And we will reap the fruits of love, faith, hope.

God bless, everyone! 🙂

{Photo source: http://www.skywriting.net/inspirational/poems/help_me_Jesus.html}

The Spirit of the Season: Our God is Greater! O Come, O Come Emmanuel!

December 13, 2012 by Tina

I’ve been struggling with whether or not to write a blog post today. Besides the fact that I am very tired and still have work to finish, it is also a sad day for many of us Filipinos as the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill has been passed by congress after its second reading. (I know you probably have your own views about this Bill, but as this is my personal blog, please do allow me to share my own thoughts about it. Salamat! Thank you!)

However, despite being disappointed, I believe that there’s still hope. And I’m not the only one. (Thank you, Atty. Jose Sison, for your encouraging article! Thank you, Cardinal Tagle, for your reminder that “the truth shall prevail!” Thank you, dear Bishops, for not losing hope! Thank you, brave 104 congressmen and women who stood up for God, country and life, for reminding us that there’s still a fighting chance! Thank you, fellow pro-lifers, for not giving up!)

So yes, we move on to see another day. We move on… to continue our fight against the RH Bill… believing in the Spirit of the Season.

Image from the Filipinos for Life website
Translated text:
Mary: I was only 15 years old when I became pregnant.
Joseph: I’m just an (ordinary) worker and my wife and I are poor.
Baby Jesus: I was born into poverty. My future is uncertain.
Holy Family: Is RH (Reproductive Health) what we really need?
Merry Christmas from Filipinos for Life

We believe that our God is greater… than any bill or law, any lawmaker or citizen. “And if our God is with us, then who or what can stand against us?”(Romans 8:31)

And as we wait for His birthday this blessed Advent season, we sing, with joy, with hope, with faith, with love, with peace… “O Come, O Come Emmanuel…” (Thank you, Dianna, for sharing the link to this awesome version!)

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, Oh Israel.

Oh come, Oh come, Thou Lord of Might ,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times didst give the law,
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.