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Church of Christ The King
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Ash Wednesday - Lenten Journey
Biblical Reflection for Ash WednesdayBy Father Thomas Rosica, CSBTORONTO,
FEB. 22, 2009 (Zenit.org).-
On AshWednesday, Feb. 25,
the Church begins her great Lenten journey
with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem.
For centuries, Lent has been a very intense spiritual journey
and experience for the followers of Jesus Christ.
Why are there 40 days in Lent?
It took 40 days for sinfulness to drown in the flood
before a new creation could inherit the earth.
It took 40years for the generation of slaves
to die before the freeborn could enter thePromised Land.
For 40 days Moses, Elijah and Jesus fasted
and prayed toprepare themselves for a life's work.
Lent invites us to turn from our own selves,
from our sin, to cometogetherin community.
Self-denial is the way we express our repentance.
Self-denialis threefold, advises Matthew's Gospel.
We pray: "Go to your room, close your door,
and pray to your Father in private.
"We fast: "No one must see you are fasting but your Father.
"We give alms: "Keep your deeds of mercy secret,
and your Father who seesinsecret will repay you.
"Through the Lenten exercise of prayer, fasting
and almsgiving, wespring-clean our lives,
sharpen our senses, put tomorrow in its place
and treasure the day at hand.
FEB. 22, 2009 (Zenit.org).-
On AshWednesday, Feb. 25,
the Church begins her great Lenten journey
with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem.
For centuries, Lent has been a very intense spiritual journey
and experience for the followers of Jesus Christ.
Why are there 40 days in Lent?
It took 40 days for sinfulness to drown in the flood
before a new creation could inherit the earth.
It took 40years for the generation of slaves
to die before the freeborn could enter thePromised Land.
For 40 days Moses, Elijah and Jesus fasted
and prayed toprepare themselves for a life's work.
Lent invites us to turn from our own selves,
from our sin, to cometogetherin community.
Self-denial is the way we express our repentance.
Self-denialis threefold, advises Matthew's Gospel.
We pray: "Go to your room, close your door,
and pray to your Father in private.
"We fast: "No one must see you are fasting but your Father.
"We give alms: "Keep your deeds of mercy secret,
and your Father who seesinsecret will repay you.
"Through the Lenten exercise of prayer, fasting
and almsgiving, wespring-clean our lives,
sharpen our senses, put tomorrow in its place
and treasure the day at hand.
Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?
Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
I never noticed this... .
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin,
which was placed over the face of Jesus,
was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded,
and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark,
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found
that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple,
the one whom Jesus loved.
She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb,
and I don't know where they have put him!'
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see..
The other disciple outran Peter and got there first.
He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there,
but he didn't go in.
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside.
He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there,
while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head
was folded up and lying to the side.
Was that important? Absolutely!
Is it really significant? Yes!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin,
you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.
The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant,
and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master,
he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.
The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait,
just out of sight, until the master had finished eating,
and the servant would not dare touch that table,
until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating,
he would rise from the table,
wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard,
and would wad up that napkin
and toss it onto the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table.
For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.
But if the master got up from the table,
and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate,
the servant would not dare touch the table, because..... .....
The folded napkin meant,
'I'm coming back!'He is Coming Back!! Be Blessed!
I never noticed this... .
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin,
which was placed over the face of Jesus,
was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded,
and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark,
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found
that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple,
the one whom Jesus loved.
She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb,
and I don't know where they have put him!'
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see..
The other disciple outran Peter and got there first.
He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there,
but he didn't go in.
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside.
He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there,
while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head
was folded up and lying to the side.
Was that important? Absolutely!
Is it really significant? Yes!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin,
you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.
The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant,
and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master,
he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.
The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait,
just out of sight, until the master had finished eating,
and the servant would not dare touch that table,
until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating,
he would rise from the table,
wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard,
and would wad up that napkin
and toss it onto the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table.
For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.
But if the master got up from the table,
and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate,
the servant would not dare touch the table, because..... .....
The folded napkin meant,
'I'm coming back!'He is Coming Back!! Be Blessed!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
SCC 600 Monthly Meeting
All are welcome for the above meeting.
Date: 13 Feb 2009
Time: 8.15pm
Place: William & Betty - 49 Yio Chu Kang Garden
Pls bring along your bible.
Thank you and God Bless.
Date: 13 Feb 2009
Time: 8.15pm
Place: William & Betty - 49 Yio Chu Kang Garden
Pls bring along your bible.
Thank you and God Bless.
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