Lent-An Invitation for a Radical Change of Heart

Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments and return to the Lord, your God (Joel 2:1-2).

Lent begins with the realization that we all are sinners and in need of God's pardon, mercy and love.

This is undoubtedly, a season of grace which calls for a radical change of one's heart. Very often we approach Lent as the season only to give up something. For example, those of us who have got used to the habit of smoking, may give it up during these forty days, but as soon as the Lent is over, smug with success, may start it again, perhaps even more to catch up for the loss too.

So what good has Lent done to such individuals? Has it contributed in anyway for the true meaning of Lent, a radical change of heart?

Lent is a privileged time of grace offered to us to become better. It challenges us to nail our self-wills so as to die to ourselves in order to live the life of Christ in a more authentic and dynamic way.

In this process, the good news of hope we have is that Our Lord has gone before us and not only given us a perfect example to follow, but accompanies us all along the journey, showering upon us His abundant graces in our struggle all throughout this blessed season for conversion. This gives us hope never to give up or lose heart. Instead, it pushes us to try all the more intensely to persevere.

Our Lord faced the temptations in the desert and was victorious and it is only in His victory, we have our own. Our victory in and with the Lord is not very much a matter of being faithful to a set formula of “do's and don'ts” of life. But it is a time to allow ourselves to have a change of heart and realize that we are free to love and serve Our Saviour. This inner freedom is the desired victory that one can have in his or her life through a sincere observance of Lent.

This Lent invites us to ask ourselves the question: What is that one thing that is keeping me from being the person that Jesus Christ wants me to be? In this regard, let us pick just one, but make it real. Then, that one thing has to be the centre of our Lenten struggle.

It has to be that one thing we fast from, that we struggle against and that we try to cast out from our lives. If each and very Lent in our lives is taken this way, how good and fruitful would it be in relation to our inner journey with the Lord? Will it not have a lasting impact in our lives each year in our call to holiness and discipleship?

Therefore, as we begin this season of Lent, let us be firmly determined to give meaning to it by our own way of handling it in order to turn a new leaf in our lives without turning back with the grace of God and carry out that conversion experience in Him Who strengthens us!

Rev. Fr. Eymard Fernando, Sacred Heart Church, Hettipola.

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Today February 11, is a very significant day for Catholic World, as this is the day we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Sri Lanka joins the world in celebrating the feast which reminds that Virgin Mother Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous on this day in 1858.

On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in the apostolic constitution Ineffabilis Deus. A little more than three years later, on February 11, 1858, a young lady appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. This began a series of visions.

During the apparition on March 25, the lady identified herself with the words: “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Bernadette was a sickly child of poor parents. Their practice of the Catholic faith was scarcely more than lukewarm. Bernadette could pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Creed. She also knew the prayer of the Miraculous Medal: “O Mary conceived without sin.”

During interrogations Bernadette gave an account of what she saw. It was “some thing” white in the shape of a girl.” She used the word aquero, a dialect term meaning “this thing.” It was “a pretty young girl with a rosary over her arm.” Her white robe was encircled by a blue girdle. She wore a white veil. There was a yellow rose on each foot. A rosary was in her hand. Bernadette was also impressed by the fact that the lady did not use the informal form of address (tu), but the polite form (vous).

In 1862 Church authorities confirmed the authenticity of the apparitions and authorized the cult of Our Lady of Lourdes for the diocese. The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes became worldwide in 1907.

Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage and healing, but even more of faith. Church authorities have recognized over 60 miraculous cures, although there have probably been many more. Internet

Fasting

Christmas has come and gone, New Year celebrations and all the festivity of this season is slowly drawing to a close. Very often we find that we enter into a time of quietness as we slowly take account of what we indulged in during this season of celebrations. Most of us have overspent and the time has come to calm down and budget our living to balance out our expenditure so that matters do not get too out of hand.

This is a good time to think about fasting. People very often fast to bring one's system back to normality after a time of feasting. Many people are of the opinion that fasting helps to regulate their diets, after attending too many dinners and parties.

Fasting to a Christian however, should be an exercise regularly included in his/her agenda concerning one's walk with God. Jesus spoke on the subject and we are all aware that he practiced fasting, and if Jesus did it one must seriously understand what fasting means to us, his disciples, so that it becomes a meaningful application in our devotional life with our Lord Jesus.

So how will you define fasting in a spiritual sense?

In the Bible fasting refers to the discipline of abstaining from food for spiritual reasons.

Being a disciple of Christ is serious business - the very word disciple is derived from the word ‘discipline'. So, the first thing about being a Christian is that one must be prepared to discipline oneself with the help of the Holy Spirit to walk in the ways that Jesus has clearly outlined to us.

God has been kind enough to give us a whole manual on the subject (The Bible). And the Holy Spirit is closer than our very breath, if one needs His help. Fasting is always connected to prayer in our way of thinking - but it is a spiritual exercise all on its own. One could describe it as Continuous Prayer Without Words. When you fast, God takes note of you. These are Christ's very words on the subject.

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

I like to list below at least 10 important facts that fasting reveals to our Maker about our intentions to please Him:

1. You honour God

2. You are humbling yourself before Him to receive His compassion and grace

3. Confessing your sins and failure

4. To ask His grace for a new task that you intend starting and the need to consecrate it to God

5. To ask God to protect you from the evil prevailing around

6. For God to reveal His will in what you are undertaking to do before proceeding with it

7. For a greater measure of faith to understand His word, especially as we look to the second coming of Jesus

8. Giving over circumstances in your life that you cannot manage, which is beyond you

9. Crying out for God's will regarding the Church, your country, governments and the world

10. Healing of body and demonic oppression/possession

Yes, when you fast you cover a whole lot of desires in your heart that needs God's blessing and attention. (What you know and what you do not know) This is a serious time of opening up situations that you want God to take over - even without speaking - God sees it and He will reward you in the best way, according to His will.

There are different types of fasts:

1. Normal Fast (this is to abstain from all food, solid and liquid, not from water)

2. Absolute Fast (abstaining from food and water Esther 4;16; Acts 9:9) This fast should not be for more than 3 days. Moses and Elijah did this fast for 40 days only under supernatural conditions. (Ex. 34:28;1 king 19:8)

3. Partial Fast (not a complete abstention, eg: giving up chocolates or meat or even giving up a meal such as lunch or breakfast etc.

Think about it, pray about it and then get into the habit of fasting as certainly we need it very much especially in this day and age where one should fast and pray, even as the Lord's second coming approaches near. One important outcome of fasting I have noticed in my life is that God reveals wonderful things in His word which you really do not grasp otherwise, thus drawing you closer to Him, to get to know Him and His ways better.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I do want a serious spiritual walk with you this year. I humbly bring to you all my needs and ask you to guide me my Lord and Saviour. Help me not to repeat my mistakes but transform me to follow you closely. You know the desires of my heart, I pray you will help me to discard any that displeases you. I commit my family to you, let me be an example to them. I know I want to fast and pray over many matters, lead me to have more faith through this fast that all things are possible to you, as you are my God and the Creator of the Universe. I submit my prayer in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Sunitha Sahayam

Bishop Harold reminds the devotees :

2013 - The year of Faith

E.WEERAPPERUMA

This is the Year of Faith declared by Holy Father Benedict VI. The invites those adherents to the Catholic Faith live the faith in truth and justice and to live the faith both in letter and spirit. All those who have received the Baptism are duty bound to spread the Good News to the entire world by living their faith in all circumstances of life.

This was key point His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera, the Catholic Bishop of Kurunegala wanted to drive to the Catholics who gathered at the Shrine of Blessed Joseph Vaz to celebrate the feast of the Blessed.

In His homily at the Holy Eucharistic celebration His Lordship pointed out that we have the dual citizenship one on earth and the other in Heaven and said that citizenship in heaven is to people who wholeheartedly believe in God. We become worthy of that privilege through the Sacrament of Baptism and in Baptism we all share in the priesthood of Christ.

His Lordship went on to say that spreading the ‘Good News’ is a Command of Jesus Christ and obeying that command and spreading the Gospel is not limited to the priests but duty on all who profess faith in God.

His Lordship said that the Blessed Joseph Vaz, the Apostle of Sri Lanka came to this country at the most critical period of time and lived the faith and encouraged others to do so through his life and prier.

We must emulate his example. We must also pry without ceasing so that God will grant our supplication and give His Church necessary grace to declare the Blessed Joseph Vaz, a Saint of the Universal church.

At the conclusion of the Holy Mass, Galgamuwa St Benedict’s Church and the Shrine Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Newman Muthuthamby OMI thanked the visiting Prelate, the bishops, the priests and the devotees gathered to celebrate the feast.

Pastor Jerome Fernando’s revelation of the 100 fold increase in 2013

Ken De Joodt

As thousands of expectant, hopeful believers in Christ Jesus, streamed into the King’s Revival Church New Year’s Night Service on December 31, they were eagerly awaiting, to hear the Prophetic Message from Pastor Jerome Fernando for their future in 2013.

A little booklet, beautifully printed was given to every person who through the years has witnessed the fine-tuned Ministry of Pastor Jerome. Last year, the Lord Jesus spoke to him about many things that would take place in year 2012, concerning our Nation as well as those outside our Nation, about people, events and the future of our lives and the outcome of the country.

With the Prophetic accuracy seen, many of them have been recorded in documents and on film.

This year too, the Lord Jesus has spoken to Pastor Jerome about the year 2013 – and he has received a wonderful Prophetic Message, with a Divine Plan to share with those who would believe and receive the Blessings from God.

From the Word of God, Pastor Jerome declared that “2013 is the year of the 100 Fold increase – The Year of Isaac. As stated in Genesis 26:12 – “Then Isaac sowed in that Land and received in the same year an Hundred Fold; and the Lord blessed him”. What God holds in store for the Believer, is in the booklet, which will assist and prepare each one for a “Purposeful – Prepared – Personal Victory”.

You can receive from a Loving Father, what He has already prepared for you – in Christ Jesus Name.

This is what the Lord says to His people, who in total abandonment trust His Word:

1. As it was in Genesis 26 –There will be times of Spiritual, Financial and even general Famine.

2. As it was in Genesis 26 –The people will not refrain from Sowing in such times.

3. As it was in Genesis 26 – The people will receive in Divine ways – in such times.

4. As it was in Genesis 26 – The people will be favoured higher that others in such times.

5. As it was in Genesis 26 – The people will be Blessed in such times as Isaac was.

It is stated in the book of Galatians 4:28 - “Now we brethren – as Isaac was are the children of Promise.”

What’s God’s order for our lives? There is a promise over us for 2013!

According to the Prophecy given, the most ‘heard word’ we will hear this year - will sound like ‘Famine’. It will be a year where people and Countries and Governments and almost the whole World will live in an attitude of not having enough! In such times we will see in 2013 – What God’s order is for our lives? There is a Promise of God over us for 2013!

This is “The Year to Hear – What you Hear and how you Hear”. Jesus said in Mark 4:20 - “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the Word and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some Thirty Fold, some Sixty Fold and some Hundred Fold”.

The return is always connected to Hearing accurately in times of Famine. The “Parable of the Sower” is proof of how critically important it is that you Hear.

As Jesus concludes the first part of this Parable in verse 9, He ends it all with a wonderful statement of Fact and Truth “He that has ears to Hear – Let him Hear”. You don’t find Jesus saying – he that has seed, let him sow! Sowing will come – but first the Hearing. Hear accurately – Sow accurately - Receive accurately.

Everyone will not receive the same increase this year. Jesus said the measure was Thirty to Sixty and a maximum Hundred Fold. The measure is according to your ability to Hear from the Lord accurately. “Unto you that Hear- shall more be given”.

In Mark 4:24 – Jesus warned us about What we Hear. Demonic Doctrines have flooded the Church system. People are following ‘Cults’, heaped in their own lusts. Choose what you hear and if it does not seem compatible with what God has said about 2013, throw it away.

In Luke 8:18 – Jesus warned us on How we hear – we are called to choose the attitude in which we hear. We must Hear in a manner which is fit to be called “Correct Hearing”, it is critical to your 100 fold increase this year. Isaac is the perfect example of Hearing accurately, listening to the right word at the right time and acting in obedience as Isaac did. Stay where you are – Hear and Obey what God Says – Sow and believe as He says – receive what God has for you this year and not 20 years later. Do not run behind Prophets. Divine Prophecy when it is needed, will come after you...a right word at the wrong time can be awfully detrimental.

“A Slip of the Tongue – is a Fault of the Heart not the Brain.” Jesus said, “From the abundance of the Heart, the Mouth speaks - Matthew 12:34. Your mouth is so important to continually speak what God has spoken to you, concerning what He has for you in 2013. The Word comes through your Hearing – planted as seed in your heart – then Spoken as Faith out of your Heart. Hebrews 11:6 says “Without Faith it is impossible to please God” and finally in Hebrews 2:1 it says “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip”.

In conclusion, Pastor Jerome Fernando said, “We must take note of the key fact that it was not Isaac’s ability to sow that gave him the 100 Fold Increase - it was His Ability to Hear God in times of famine, to Obey and to be Blessed.”