Be Inspired and Enriched!

During this season of lent and being a year of faith, it is very appropriate for us to dig deeper into our faith. Digging deeper can be both inward and outward. Praying and Fasting Inwardly, we are called during lent to pray and fast. We pray more often to keep us in communion with God several times in our waking and conscious hours. We fast in order to be in control of ourselves, of our wants  and worldly desires. But it should not stop there because when we fast, we are expected to give to the hungry the money we did not spend or food that we did not consume. Fasting also makes us get to know ourselves  better, especially knowing that we can control our desires and plan our time better. Abstinence Outwardly, if we abstain from watching TV each night or stop checking out Facebook each day or hour, we  can have enough time to read a spiritual development book, do meditation, pray or simply be quiet in our own  favourite place. Sacred Space Where is your sacred space? I

Did the seed fall on me, the rocky soil? Or, the good soil? Or, in between?  Everyday, the intention is always to be the good soil, where the seed can grow. But sometimes, interactions with people or thoughts of past actions   and interactions cloud the present. The seed can hardly grow. It seems   difficult to see or hear God's word in one's life.  The future is but another day with a chance to control thoughts, words and deeds. Consciousness of daily thoughts, words and actions need to be the order of the day.  Coupled with loving intentions for others, the seed can fall on good soil. If not all the time, hopefully, most of the time. The seed falling on good soil can be a daily possibility.

"Nothing can trouble, Nothing can frighten; Those who seek God, Shall never go wanting; God alone fills us.' - Chant from Taize by Jacques Berthier (1923-94) Words from St. Teresa of Avila. (c)1982 Ateliers et Presses de Taize When I lived at an ecumenical community in the little town of Taize in France, one of my favourite chants was "Nada Te Turbe," which is basically the Spanish translation of the chant above. But, during my recent trip overseas, I reflected that there are still situations that scare me. And some things in this world still trouble me. I am a long way from imitating St Teresa of Avila. Let alone,  imitating Jesus. As I am blessed with another year, I will continue to strive to live  a life of abundance, wherein I would not want anything more because God will provide me with all my needs. And having God alone in my life would be enough. This is a tall order for us considering that we may feel responsible  for a few people