What should I give up for Lent? Meat? Sweets? Chocolate? Ice Cream? Beverages?

Many of us try to be more disciplined for Lent and give up something that we really like. That is great! Fasting has always been an Important tradition of Lent. This year however, let us also consider other things that we can give up.

1. Give up complaining - Focus on gratitude
Philippians 2 : 14 - 15 "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure."
1 Thessalonians 5 : 18 "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ."

2. Give up bitterness - Turn to forgiveness
Ephesians 4 : 31 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger; brawling and slander; along with every form of malice."
Ephesians 4 : 32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

3. Give up worry - Trust in God
Matthew 6 : 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life. Who by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Matthew 6 : 33 "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

4. Give up discouragement - Be full of hope
Deuteronomy 31: 8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you: he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Isaiah 40: 31 "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

5. Give up hatred - Return good for evil
1 John 2 : 9 "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness."
Luke 6: 27 "But I tell you who hear me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."

6. Give up anger - Be more patient
Matthew 5 : 22 "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment."
Proverbs 15 : 18 "A hot tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel."

7. Give up gossiping - Control your tongue
Psalm 34:13 "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies."
Proverbs 21 : 23 "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity."

Humility is the First Step to Unity

Jesus calls out to us, makes an appeal to us: 'Are you ready to leave everything from your past for me? Do you want to make My love known, My mercy?'

His gaze of divine mercy is the source of the whole Christian Ministry.

As the Apostle's letters show, he did not always have an easy relationship with the community in Corinth, noting that at one point there was even a painful visit during which heated words were exchanged in writing.

But by living his ministry in light of the mercy that he received, St. Paul does not give up in the face of divisions, but devotes himself to reconciliation. Christians of different confessions must have the same attitude.

When we, the community of baptized Christians, find ourselves confronted with disagreements and turn towards the merciful face of Christ to overcome it, it is reassuring to know that we are doing as Saint Paul did in one of the very first Christian communities.

Perhaps the most difficult moment St. Paul had with the community in Corinth, the Apostle cancelled a trip he was planning to make, and renounced the gifts he would have received.

However, while there were certainly tensions in their relationship, these did not have the final word, the two communities eventually reconciled and the Christians in Corinth eventually helped St. Paul in his ministry to the poor and needy.

Solid communion grows and is built up when people work together for those in need, through a united witness to charity, the merciful face of Jesus is made visible in our city.

We thank the Lord that among Christians the desire has grown for greater closeness, which is manifested in our praying together and in our common witness to the Gospel, above all in our various forms of service.

Work together to become ever more faithful disciples of Jesus, always more liberated from our respective prejudices from the past and ever more desirous to pray for and with others.

Who Says We Don't Exercise?

We 'Jump' to conclusions
We 'Throw' our weight around
We 'Twist' them tough
We 'Stretch' the lies
We 'Bind' the rules
We 'Push' our luck
We 'Lift' out egos
We 'Run' from toughs situations
We are absolutely fit!

But still, we are fat because
We eat our words so often!!

Nearer to God or Nearer to Wealth?

Since man, God's greatest creation, was created, he seeks for property, wealth, power and other worldly elements instead of his Creator. It is true that man has his own right to enjoy worldly pleasures, but ignoring the Creator, who gave him life, is undoubtedly an unforgivable crime. Sadly, most of us act so inhumanly, without understanding what our actions will lead to. This short composition will focus on this issue, in somewhat a different sense by considering some basics in the teachings of the Church.

Faith

Many of us acclaim to have great faith in God and proudly present ourselves as traditional Catholics and so on. Yet, many of us neither know what this Faith in God means nor do what God means or do what God wants us to do always. What exactly is faith? Just by contemplating on such simple elements in a spiritual sense will enable us to approach God the way He wants. Faith is the trust we have in someone and having the assurance that such a person will never forsake you. This is just one definition, we all can contemplate in our own way. However, it is very important to know what the opposite of faith is, anxiety.

When someone is anxious he or she has no faith in anything. This sense of anxiety is dangerous for any person. He or she may fall into any sin, in order escape from this void of fear. People worry desperately in life, mostly for matters which are of no use. But, God expects us to not be desparate or worry, no matter what we face in life. This is the Faith, which God expects from each one of us. No matter how many shrines we may visit and participate in hundreds of novenas, prayer meetings, if this nature of Faith is lacking in our system, there is simply no Faith at all and all our actions become meaningless.

Lacking Faith in God, for non-believers lacking Faith in themselves or what they believe will certainly be the root of their downfall. Lacking Faith means lacking Love. People who have no idea of this Faith in God, instead of loving God and His creation, they find ways and means to expand their own glory.

Precious Gift

We tend to forget that this life is a precious gift given to us by our Loving Father in heaven. This life is short and death is a certainty. By forgetting these how can our sinful people ever imagine about life after death, the Kingdom of Heaven and so on? This is why the Church must speak much more on life before death because if any life before death was virtuous in the eyes of God, then certainly there is no reason to worry about death or life afterwards, for God has guaranteed that He has booked us an awesome place in His Kingdom.

We ignorant Christians must enjoy life by practising these simple virtues God has asked us so many times in the Scriptures. Then we can celebrate heaven on Earth itself!

However, what most of us seek as said earlier is self glory through material wealth.

True, one must have some form of wealth and property if we are to exist in this world. Parents have the responsibility of bringing up their children by giving them not only a sound education but also looking into their various needs. So parents need the resources for this. We do have our responsibility and God has not asked us to live a life of torture. Happiness is what God wants of His creation. But that does not mean we should run after wealth, hoarding for us without a concern for our neighbour. This is not what God wants of us, His precious creation.

There are those who fight for wealth; get involved in treacherous deeds - even going to the extreme of murder, just for the sake of some worldly wealth, which has no value in God's domain. People have become climbers in whatever they do. They have lost their human nature and behave worse than wild animals when they strive to satisfy their greed for power.

There is hardly a realisation that sin meets with punishment for the doer someway or other; because any sin knowingly done do not even meet God's forgiveness, especially if it is against our own brothers and sisters.

Yet, after doing all the sins in the world, when terror strikes our lives as a result of our sins, we put the blame on God and clean our hands. Having put the blame on God we move away from repenting for the wrong we did. This is the pure truth which happens in this world.

Why do we sin?

Have we experienced permanent comfort by committing sins? We always carry the guilt of our sin, don't we? It is true we can not be perfect but as Christians let us make a serious attempt to reduce our sins and live a life blessed in the eyes of God, not trying to do better than the other and showing off.

Society has a lot of work to do in the present context of the world, in order to make this world what God expects it to be. Instead of spreading rumours about others, why don't we praise each other, instead of looking for power why don't we work for justice, instead o plotting against our enemies why don't we approach them and reconcile.

Wise words between people can save lives, can prevent wars. Wisdom and understanding when dealing with society will open a bright future for any country.

Yet where are we? Children are taught to have an ambition which leads to competition. Already at a young age their minds are brain washed so that they will one day become the so called business-minded in the society. Their thoughts and actions are programmed to be head-centred and not heart-centred.

Unless, people do not remove that 'money is everything' from their minds, never shall one receive the Graces of God! Live for others, live genuinely, be honest and be another Jesus to all.

Feeling Hurt

"What do you think? My brother told me that I am jealous of his wife Irma. He said that Irma is qualified but stayed home to look after their daughter just because I am busy at work and do not have time for the home front, he said that I am green with envy. I feel that my brother has hurt me by saying that," said Muntaz.

"When you live and move with the family, there are always problems. In fact, the people who can hurt or upset you are usually the ones you are close to, like family and friends. When you care for someone, you are leaving the door open for that person to show you affection but also to upset you by saying or doing something bad. As a psychologist, I have also found that what upsets you when you say you are hurt emotionally is your ego. It is our sense of Ego, where one has a high opinion of oneself, which is what is disturbed by the word or deed of someone you care about," explained Palitha.

"I think what upset me was when my sister scolded me for getting late for the lecture. She said that I delayed everyone. I know was wrong but I am very sensitive to criticism," chimed in Sherine. "Most people don't like criticism. There are very few who are ready to change and improve themselves by accepting Constructive Criticism," said Palitha, adding "Usually, one thinks of the person who said or did something hurtful and takes it personally. That is why people take offence even if the person said or did something which is correct."

"Maybe we should pray for the wisdom not to take personal remarks to heart. Just trust in God and let go, to live well," said Muntaz.

Feeling Hurt

"What do you think? My brother told me that I am jealous of his wife Irma. He said that Irma is qualified but stayed home to look after their daughter just because I am busy at work and do not have time for the home front, he said that I am green with envy. I feel that my brother has hurt me by saying that," said Muntaz.

"When you live and move with the family, there are always problems. In fact, the people who can hurt or upset you are usually the ones you are close to, like family and friends. When you care for someone, you are leaving the door open for that person to show you affection but also to upset you by saying or doing something bad. As a psychologist, I have also found that what upsets you when you say you are hurt emotionally is your ego. It is our sense of Ego, where one has a high opinion of oneself, which is what is disturbed by the word or deed of someone you care about," explained Palitha.

"I think what upset me was when my sister scolded me for getting late for the lecture. She said that I delayed everyone. I know was wrong but I am very sensitive to criticism," chimed in Sherine. "Most people don't like criticism. There are very few who are ready to change and improve themselves by accepting Constructive Criticism," said Palitha, adding "Usually, one thinks of the person who said or did something hurtful and takes it personally. That is why people take offence even if the person said or did something which is correct."

"Maybe we should pray for the wisdom not to take personal remarks to heart. Just trust in God and let go, to live well," said Muntaz.

Love is The Foundation

When two hearts are joined together in love, they are receiving this endless blessing from above. God is watching over them from a distance, protecting and saving them in every circumstance.

Everyday is a big challenge for both of them, lifting up these troubles to God above all men. Trusting with one another is their message of hope, that they will be bonded together in God's Love rope. Love is the foundation of their everyday life.

And God's reminders can sometimes be sharper than a knife.

Teaching their children about God's commandment, they will find this perfect joy in this honest commitment. Yes, to forgive one another and to love is their daily prayer, that they will live as happy as can be, both now and forever.