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Palm Sunday begins Holy Week

Holy Week: The Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. The Holy Week calls us to return to God.It stresses on `Metanoia', the change of heart.It calls for repentance,renunciation of sin.

Metanoia is also means conversion,returning to God, a new life being regretful for the past misdeeds and conduct.So the season of Lent which is nearing the completion of the period of 40 days of fasting,penance and prayer, reminds that repentance and conversion are the necessary conditions for salvation.

Next Sunday, April 1, will be 'Palm Sunday' and begins the Holy Week,leading to the most important event of Jesus Christ's earthly life. The day reminds us of the victorious entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. The Lord is given a rousing welcome and the plotting to kill Him, follow.

Tomorrow is Maundy Thursday : Maundy Thursday reminds us the Last Supper of the Lord with His disciples and the Washing of the Feet of the 12 Apostles including the one who betrayed Him. The day also recalls to the minds of the entire Catholic and Christian World the establishment of the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood.

The day is sacred and holy because it was the night that Lord Jesus taken away from the Garden of Gethsemany, the betrayal of Judas for 30 silver coins; Jesus taken to scoff,scourged and ridiculed at the hands of the enemy and endure suffering throughout the night; while Jesus suffer at the hands of the enemy outside the chambers, the denial of Peter the Chosen leader of twelve of any knowledge of Jesus...

Good Friday: The day following is the Good Friday, the day the Lord was taken before Pilot, betrayal of the crowd who gave him a rousing welcome on his return to Jerusalem, the way led to Golgotha, the most sublime sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the Cross to bring man closer to God and reinstate the lost rapport between God and man in paradise.

This follows by Holy Saturday and the vigil Mass heralding the good news of Easter Sunday event of the glorious Resurrection of the Lord defeating death and rekindling hope in all and assuring man,that human race would be raised from the dead at the end of the world as promised at the creation after the fall of man.

On Easter Vigil, Holy Saturday during the Holy Mass, New Light, New Oil, Water, is blessed and distributed among the faithful.The community that gathers at the Altar will profess once more their faith and renounce the devil and its satanic ways.

The Church bells that were silent for a week would ring once more to announce that Jesus has risen from the death and welcome that news with greeting of Alleluia.

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How to behave with parents

Valuable blessing: Parents are Allah's boon upon everyone, because they are the persons, who not only give birth to their children but also cherish them and guide them to the exact beneficial way. Father and mother are the most valuable blessing to their children. In a Hadith, the prophet (S. A. W. ) said:

"There is a paradise beneath Mother's feet."

It denotes the importance of mother in one's life. But the paradise beneath mother's feet cannot be accessed until she is obeyed and looked after by children. So, it is your duty to obey your parents and look after them to the best of your ability, power and the finance in a way as defined below.

Talk politely with your parents. Even if they rebuke you for the fault or mistake you have not committed, yet you are supposed to be mild and obedient to them.

...Though both parents deserve their children's love and help, but mother is preferred first in comparison to father as the prophet (S. A. W.) is quoted above. So, when mother and father calls you at a time, you are supposed to listen to mother's call first and then to that of your father. Do not call your parents with their first name.

It is your moral as well as religious duty to look after your parents and extend them all sorts of helping hand to make their life more and more comfortable. ..Do not talk or behave in a way that causes irritation to your parents...The orders and instructions of parents can only be neglected when they go against the principles of Islam.

..You may provide a sincere counsel to your parents.

"Listen carefully to your parents whenever they speak to you. Never interrupt and argue with them while they are speaking to you. "While walking on the road or street along with your parents, do not walk in front of them, and do not take your seat before they take. "Avoid asking money beyond the possession of your parents.

"Take more care of your parents. When they become senile and old. "Always take initiative in the matter of greeting your parents by making sal'am to them. "You are supposed to respect and treat your parents kindly even if they disregard and treat you wrongfully.

"A foster mother also deserves the same kindness and support as the original mother deserves from their children. "Generally, parents become short-tempered when they reach their old age.

And thus, they mostly rebuke their sons and daughters for even flimsy reasons. So, this is the time of maintaining patience and be more kind to your parents.

"It is your duty to assist and held your parents in their household works without being ordered and instructed by them.

"Disobedience and carelessness to parents are great sins in Islam. So, never commit such acts which can cause irritation to your parents. "After the death of parents, it is children's duty to pray for their maghfirat and for good place in Jannah (paradise).

(An extract from Islamic Etiquettes Among Youngsters.) - F. Fazeena Rafeek

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Sancta Maria hill climb in Halloluwa for Lenten season



A scene from the Way of the Cross

Lenten exercise: Sancta Maria in Halloluwa in the salubrious hill climb of Kandy is the latest place for the Lenten exercise of Way of the Cross for pilgrims to the Marian shrine.

The edifice was hitherto known as the origin of the Perpetual Novena in Sri Lanka. Today it draws crowds specially during the penitential season of Lent for an open air exercise of the Way of the Cross. Rev. Fr. Shiran Fonseka, a Redemptorist Priest invites faithful from dioceses outside Kandy to visit the Shrine for a meditative exercise befitting the season.

The scenic spot has the Hantana mountain peak on one side and the famous Mutten Button range that stretches up to Ampitiya. The Mahaweli waters flow in serene silence to add to the contemplative environment.

The Calvary here had small beginnings. At first there were only the small statues to mark the 14 stations. It was later suggested by the pilgrims to make use of the hillock behind the Church which is ideal for scene of the Crucifixion. In deference to the wishes of pilgrims the priest extended the way cutting down trees the wood provided the crosses.

By and by the place became replete with facilities for pilgrims but there is no provision for a night's stay as yet, and Fr. Shiran hopes to provide this facility too if more pilgrims patronize Santa Maria not only during Lent, but at any time of the year.

The publicity Halloluwa earned due to the new Calvary has not dimmed its prestige as the first Shrine where the Perpetual Novena commenced.

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Why should we thank Allah (God) in Islamic perspective?

Perspectives: In Islam, as Muslims, we are bound to express our Shukoor (gratitude) to Allah at all times. But, some may raise the question, "Why should we thank Allah?".

There are very suitable answers to this question in rational approach.

We must thank Allah that we are able to breath. Indeed, we have to thank Him for every breath we take as exemplified by sh. sa'di (Islamic poet).

Every breath that is inhaled is an addition to life, and when it is exhaled, it refreshes the being. Then, for each breath, two gifts are present and for each gift, an expression of thanks is essential".

Every breath that we inhale nourishes life (by providing oxygen etc) for which we have to thank Allah became this means that we have live a certain number of years plus this half breath. And every breath that we exhale (apart from expelling the poisonous carbon dioxide) nourishes the self, because this represents the balance of our life minus the exhaled breath, reminding us that we are coming nearer to our goal in life, the goal of meeting with our creator.

Besides, we should thank Allah not only for having created life but also, for having created us as human beings with human features, the best of His creation called, Ashrafal Makhuquat, i.e. - the more honourable of all creations. Mankind should not be considered as just a drop in the ocean of Darwinian theory but rather a marvel of Allah's special handiwork.

In the grand scheme of things, man was created as some one special to play a specific role as Allah's vicegerent on Earth, this being the raison d'e tre of his existence on this planet.

He enjoys special privileges which have not been granted to other creatures and shoulders a valuable obligation which the heavens and the earth refused to accept but man foolishly accepted it.

The Quran says as follows: "Truly, we did offer Al-Amanah (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allah has ordained) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it (i.e. afraid of Allah's Torment). But man bore it verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results) (33:72).

And if we pause for one moment and think as befits our memberships in Ashrafal Makhuquat we would realise that we should thank Allah for every extra day that He grants us, which contains a message and a purpose, such as doing good deed and making great strides in our spiritual and personal growth in the extra alloted time (Quran - 35-57; 40-67). We have to treasure each day, knowing that all we have in our hands is the present moment.

Bayan means explantation of thought through language or utterances of intelligent explantation - Quran 55:4 languages combines sound to form words to represent knowledge about persons, objects, ideas or events.

In fact, Allah gave us speech as he gave everything speech (Quran 41:21). It is therefore expected as a token of appreciation and gratitude for all the bounties that this tongue of ours should express thanks and praises to its creator by saying just two little words, 'Al-Hamdu Lillah' (All praise be to Allah)

Indeed, we have to be ever grateful to Allah for his favours: Quran 16:14), and meaning, "And rehearse and proclaim the bounty of thy sustainer "(Quran 93:11) we have been commanded to remember Allah often and glorify him morning and evening (Quran: 33:41-42).

Therefore, let's obey Almighty Allah and His Prophet Muhammed(Sal) as our expression of thanks for Allah's true guidance through His messenger.

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Jesus and Judas: The redeemer and the traitor

RELATIONSHIP: How can we discover who Jesus is? Our knowledge of the logos, the living word comes from the written word - The Bible, preserved and passed on by the church.

For many centuries when most people could not read artistic renderings of scenes from scripture passed on the Biblical background of the faith. In our age we are aware that these images of Jesus owe more to the artists imagination than to any evidence of Christ's life. But art can reveal much more than the most accurate photograph.

Today when scientific proof is often considered the only basis of certainty art can help people of faith focus on the reality of the risen Christ. This is similar to the way in which Jesus a master story teller taught. Henri Nouwens reflection 'The Return of the Prodigal Son' based on Rembrandt van Rijn's painting with the same title has helped many Christians develop a new appreciation of the immense love of the father captured in that parable.

Each person in the story and in the painting represents another piece of the truth another piece of the reality that we can never fully comprehend. With the disciples we gradually come to the Jesus as someone more than ordinary. Then we hear the voice of God at the Transfiguration and we learn something more - 'This is my chosen son listen to him, - (LK 9:35).

The universal meaning of life and death of Christ therefore is that he sustained the fundamental conflict of human existence to the end. Christ wanted to realise the absolute meaning of this world before God, in spite of hate, in comprehension betrayed and condemned to death, caused by hate for one who only loved and only sought to do good among people.

God took up his cross but it is not a glorification or externalization of the cross. God has taken up the cross which shows how much God loves us. God loves sufferers so much, that he suffers and dies along with them. God does not allow the wounds to fester until the manifestation of Justice at the end of the world. With Judas's betrayal many weaknesses of man is unfolded.

Each no less worth than the former. The criminal magnitude of an act of treachery could not be described or its appellant reactions could any way be clarified, but it is there, there by lies the conviction the edict the decree, the judgement.

The first point in important sequence is the master follower or disciple relationship. A master is someone who teaches, who guides and directs and tries to put one in the correct path. A disciple is a pupil and follower with originally a simple dedication and keenness and a manifestation of wonder and devouring the new ideas or methods or processes.

But whatever the philosophy, ideology or subject a curious rapport bordering on a sense of intimacy is generated, be it awe, high regard or respect on the part of the disciple and a mothering attitude on the masters side.

In a relationship of this nature when the disciple for whatever reason betrays his master the bitter anguish the irreparable disillusionment, the heart rending sadness in the master defies description. God intervenes and justifies in the risen Jesus all the impoverished and crucified of history.

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The Robin - Good Friday Memories

Along the road to Calvary,
the trees were white with Spring,
And birds with gold or scarlet
breasts, merrily did sing.

And all alone a robin sat,
and watched the birds so gay,
but sad was he because
his breast was just a sober grey.

Down that same road to Calvary,
Lord came burdened slow,
Thorn crowned a cross
upon His back,
His shoulders bending low.

The robin saw those piercing
thorns,
most pitying was he,
to see the One who loved us all,
now halting so wearily.
The bird, he left his blossom
bough,
and quickly flying down,
He plucked away the sharpest
thorn,
from Jesus' cruel crown.

The blood poured out from
that deep wound upon
our Lord's dear head,
It stained his brow and
stained alike,
the robin's breast with red.

Our lord looked up and spoke
"This bird and gentle deed are
blest,
And robins all in memory
shall wear a crimson breast.

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