Friday, March 15, 2019

God without man is still God.   Man without God is nothing.

Scripture ...
Luke 22:16

Reflections ...

First, Jesus shocks His disciples by saying He will soon suffer. Then He tells them He will not eat the Passover again until it is fulfilled in God’s kingdom. They knew that the first Passover occurred long ago when the angel of death had struck down the firstborn in Egypt, passing over all those houses marked with the blood of the Passover lamb. The act was completed more than 1,400 years before, but Jesus tells them it still isn’t fulfilled.

The next time Jesus will eat the Passover it will be a memorial feast in heaven, looking back on His completed sacrifice. Each time we receive Holy Communion, we partake of that meal, celebrating the new Passover, remembering His sacrifice for us, and eating the body and blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Prayer ...

Lord Jesus, keep me firm in this faith until You bring me to heaven to share Your great Passover feast. And throughout my days on this earth, work through me to bring many others to saving faith that they too may share this eternal feast with You in heaven. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today …
Count how many friends (not acquaintances, but actual friends) you have outside your age-group. It's easy to live in a silo and expect that there's nothing to learn from people who are older or younger than us. Be challenged today to make friends with someone from another generation..

Hymn ...

Quiz ...

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt4pQe_zFE

Thursday, March 14, 2019

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly.

Scripture ...
Luke 22:14-15

Reflections ...

According to the Bible’s reckoning, the day began at sunset rather than midnight. So as Jesus sits down in the upper room to eat, He is well aware the final day of His earthly life has begun. Much lies before Him: three grueling hours of prayer, His arrest, three trials, mistreatment and mockery, bitter suffering, abuse, torture, six hours of agony on the cross and, finally, His death.

These great Passion events could easily dominate His thoughts, but instead He pushes them aside and focuses on the moment. He wants His disciples to know how important they are to Him. His literal words make that clear: “With great desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you.”

What was so important about this meal for Jesus? It was the people who surrounded Him— the people He loved and for whom He would soon lay down His life. Jesus feels the same about you and me. He treasures the time we spend reading His Word, gathering with our brothers and sisters in worship, praying to Him. He promises, “For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).

Prayer ...

Lord Jesus, thank You for living in my heart. Deliver me from all evil and lead me to Your eternal home. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today …
Today while we sleep comfortably on our nice, warm and cozy beds, let spend a little time praying for those people who are homeless and will be sleeping on the streets tonight..

Hymn ...

Quiz ...

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt4pQe_zFE

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Be ye fishers of  men. You catch them – He will clean them.

Scripture ...
Luke 22:13

Reflections ...

Jesus’ instructions must surely have challenged the faith of Peter and John. What were the odds they would see a man carrying a jar of water? That he would lead them to a house with a large guest room, furnished and available? Yet this is exactly what they experienced. Surely, it strengthened their faith when one by one, Jesus’ strange instructions worked out for them.

But was there another reason Jesus gave such cryptic instructions? He was well aware that one of His 12 disciples was carefully watching for an opportunity to betray Him in the absence of the crowds. When Peter and John asked Jesus where they were to prepare the Passover, it is the moment Judas was waiting for. What better occasion to find Jesus away from the crowd, in a house that can be surrounded, with no way of escape?

If Jesus had identified the house He had in mind, Judas could have found a way to sneak out and inform the Jewish leaders. Then there would have been no time to eat with His disciples, to institute Holy Communion, or to prepare Himself through prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Each of these things is essential, and Jesus won’t permit Judas to gain that knowledge—until the time is right.

In a similar way, as Jesus guides us through life, He keeps our enemies in check and thwarts their plans to harm us—unless it suits His loving, divine purposes for us and for them.

Prayer ...
Lord Jesus, we are surrounded by spiritual enemies who wish to destroy our faith and do us eternal harm. As You watch over us and limit what they can do, give us loving hearts to share Your Word so that You may bring them to repentance and faith. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today …
Today will be the day when we will pray everytime we walk.. It could be just about anywhere.  May be from the parking lot to the shopping center or from your work table to the cafeteria / photocopy center from your classroom to the drinking water area or even at home from the kitchen to the living room.  Its really good for your spiritual health.  So today lets walk in the Lord’s name.  Walking with the Lord we are walking in the morning …la . la la la .. walking with God..

Hymn ...

Quiz ...

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt4pQe_zFE

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Be quiet enough to hear God’s whisper. 

Scripture ...
Luke 22:11-12

Reflections ...

As Jesus directed, the two disciples enter the city gate and find the man carrying the water jar. He will guide Peter and John to the house where they will prepare the Passover for Jesus. But for these disciples the strangest thing may not be the man carrying water.

The strangest thing may well be that a room large enough to accommodate at least 13 men is still available in Jerusalem. The city is bursting with Jewish pilgrims gathered together from all over the Roman Empire to celebrate the Passover. But as Jesus predicts, they won’t just find a large empty room, it will be fully furnished, with all the furniture and utensils they will need.

Thirty-some years ago a Jewish carpenter diligently searched for just such a room in the little town of Bethlehem, a few miles southwest of here. In fact, Luke uses the exact same Greek word for “guest room” here as he uses for “inn” there (see Luke 2:7). But no such room was available that first Christmas, so Jesus had been born in a humble shelter for cattle.

But this time it is different. A room has been held back and reserved. In this space Jesus will celebrate His Last Supper and institute Holy Communion. The owner of this house knows the Teacher, and will be deeply honored to lend Him this room. He is the second man in recent days who has been privileged to loan his property to the Savior of mankind. Just the previous Sunday a man had loaned Him his young donkey, which had never been ridden before. And before the sun sets again, a prominent Jewish ruler will lend Jesus his unused tomb.

Prayer ...
Lord Jesus, thank You for choosing to honor us with Your presence. Use our time, treasure, talents and lives to spread Your Kingdom and glorify Your Holy Name. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today …
Take prayer naps -- rest in the arms of Jesus. Surrender your worries to Him. Accept His gift of peace..

Hymn ...

Quiz ...

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt4pQe_zFE

Monday, March 11, 2019

T.G.I.F.– Thank God I’m Forgiven.

Scripture ... 
Luke 22:8-10

Reflections ...

This momentous day begins with a meal that will be remembered and rehearsed until the day Jesus returns. It will be Jesus’ last Passover, a beautiful legacy He will leave for His church. So He sends two disciples to prepare the meal. Their first task will be to secure a space large enough to accommodate Jesus, the 12 followers He called, and any others who are with them.

He instructs Peter and John to follow the man carrying a jar of water. Maybe this sounds like a rather odd direction. We might expect them to see a large number of men carrying jars of water. But these two disciples know women normally carried the water. It is extremely unusual to see a man carrying one, so he will be really easy to spot.

But even so, Jesus has to know exactly when that one male servant will be at that place, and coordinate His disciples’ arrival so they will be passing into the city gates exactly when he walks by. For the Son of God, no detail is too small as He makes sure everything will be on hand for His disciples to complete the preparations for this great feast.

In the same way no detail is too small as Jesus coordinates all the events in your life to best serve His loving purpose for you. Don’t ignore those little details—the seemingly unimportant situations or people He brings near. Those are opportunities to experience His loving care, and to share the love of Christ in your attitude, your humility and kindness, your words and your deeds.

Prayer ...
Lord Jesus, thank You for taking note of every detail of my life. Give me confidence that You will guide all things for my eternal good. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today …
Look at those people in positions of leadership above you. Being a boss can be a tiring, thankless task. The buck stops with them, and blame often lands at their door when things go wrong. It's the same with church leaders, school teachers, our MPs and local authorities. Today, take time to acknowledge the effort they put into leadership, and bless them with words of encouragement.

Hymn ...

Quiz ...

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt4pQe_zFE

First Sunday of Lent, March 10, 2019

When you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd. 

Scripture ...
Luke 22:7

Reflections ...

The day has come. The Jewish leaders and all the people see this as just another remembrance, pointing back to that first great Passover in Egypt. But Jesus is aware that all human history hangs on this pivotal day. For this is the day when God’s own Passover Lamb will be sacrificed. His blood will not save the Israelites from slavery, or the firstborn from physical death. His death will deliver every man, woman and child who has ever lived, or will ever live, from slavery to sin, and from everlasting death in hell.

He makes that sacrifice for all people—freely offering forgiveness to all people, to you and to me. But on Judgment Day the angel of death will only pass over those of us who, by faith, are marked in the blood of God’s Son.

Prayer ...
Lord Jesus, You came to take our sins upon Yourself and bear the punishment of God in our place. Thank You for that great sacrifice. Now give us courage and true concern for those dying around us so that we may share Your victory with everyone You bring into our lives. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today …
Purgatory is that state in which people who have died in God’s Grace, but without letting go of some of the imperfections and attachments of sin, undergo a purification before entering Heaven, where nothing unclean can enter.  One of the beautiful things about Purgatory is that God has allowed those of us still on Earth to aid, by our prayers, the purification of the Holy Souls. So lets pray today, and whenever we can and as often as we can, for the dear departed souls.  Only our prayers can help them. And pass on this tradition to your kids so that there will be somebody to pray for you when you depart from this earthly life too.

Hymn ...


Quiz ...

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt4pQe_zFE

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Remember, God has not gone on vacation and left you in charge. 

Scripture ...
Luke 22:5-6

Reflections ...

The priests were glad to have the possibility of eliminating Jesus before the Passover—before He could start a revolt against Rome. Who better than an insider to spy on Jesus and find the perfect opportunity to spring their trap? They agreed to the price of 30 pieces of silver and considered it a bargain. The Jewish leaders would no doubt have been willing to spend far more to remove Jesus from the picture.

So Judas began watching and waiting. He needed an opportunity to betray Jesus when He was separated from the crowd, and thus vulnerable. Judas held his secret close in his heart. None of the other disciples had a clue. He went on acting the part of a friend—and none were the wiser.

But Jesus knew. He’d known it from the day He first chose Judas. He’d even dropped hints here and there (see John 6:63-64, 70-71), along the way. He could easily use this knowledge to avoid the situation for which Judas was watching. He could even use it against Judas, turn the tables, and betray him to the others. But Jesus will only use it for Judas’ benefit. He is waiting for that moment when He can make the biggest impact, reveal the devilish nature of this sin, and hopefully turn Judas back and save him.

In the meantime, He lets Judas keep watching for his opportunity. The betrayer quickly learns it is not as easy to hand Jesus over as he had first thought.

Prayer ...
Lord Jesus, nothing takes You by surprise. Thank You for working so hard to call us to repentance and salvation. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today …
What can you do that others wish they could? Teach a teenager to sew on a button, help an elderly person to set up their phone or configure their social network, put up a picture with a step by step DIY, make an omelette with someone who can't cook, teach a colleague the short-cut keys on a computer keyboard... There are a lot of quick options to choose from. The tough bit is finding someone to help!.

Hymn ...

Quiz ...

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt4pQe_zFE

Friday, March 8, 2019

Love your enemies. They'll go crazy trying to figure out what you're up to.



.

Scripture ...
Luke 22:3-4

Reflection ...

The religious authorities desperately want to get rid of Jesus, but the huge swell of Passover pilgrims that fill the temple courts are hanging on His every word. If they take any action against Jesus, the crowds will rally to His defense. So they concede they will have to wait until the Passover is finished and the crowds return to their homes (see Matthew 26:5).

For the chief priests this is extremely frustrating—and dangerous. Jesus is completely beyond their control. If He steps forward during the Passover, claims Himself King, and begins a rebellion, they will be powerless to stop it, or to control the Roman military response to it.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a possible solution appears. One member of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples, Judas, comes to them offering to deliver Jesus to them. Judas’ faith and love for Jesus has dried up, choked out by his lust for money (see John 12:4-6).

The Jewish leaders are overjoyed, but cautious. They describe the conditions they are looking for ... a time when Jesus is in the city, yet separated from the crowds.

But even while they conspire together behind closed doors, Judas and the chief priests have no idea that Jesus is well aware of everything; He knew it from the start. We might expect Jesus to be furious and vindictive; instead, He loves Judas. He prepares to reach out to this lost disciple in every way He can, trying to touch his heart, prick his conscience, and bring him back to faith.

Prayer ...

Lord Jesus, Your love is amazing. Where most of us would have been furious at Judas’ plotting, Your chief concern was bringing him back. Give me a heart that loves my enemy and seeks to share Your salvation. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today…

We all live in a world where we want our children to study at a convent school or an institution run by the priest, but are we or our young children willing to be a priest or a nun. Lets pray today to fill the hearts of young men and women with the spirit of courage and love that they may answer the Lord’s call generously. Give parents the grace to encourage vocations in their family by prayer and good example..

Hymn …

Quiz Time …

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt4pQe_zFE

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Don't fear tomorrow..God is already there.

Scripture ...

Luke 22:2

Reflection ...

People don’t take too kindly to being told they are wrong—not today and not in Jesus’ day either. When someone questions our decisions—or even worse, challenges the way we have chosen to live our lives—we are tempted to write him off as narrow-minded and intolerant.

For many months Jesus has been confronting the Jewish religious authorities. They cling to a religion of works: human rules and traditions by which they believe they earn blessings in this life and eternal life with God afterwards.

But Jesus knows better. He knows His Father in heaven is holy and perfect. God cannot simply overlook the wrongs we do. But even though the Father is just and holy, He is also filled with grace, love and mercy. That is why He sent His own Son, Jesus, to save us.

But the Jewish leaders have rejected Jesus—and they are pushing back hard against Him. Even so, Jesus won’t go away.

So now this huge confrontation is looming. Jesus cares too much to leave the Jewish authorities in darkness. So He shows them their error by teaching them God’s truth. But His words don’t sit well with them. They reach the conclusion that He must be silenced.

Prayer ...
Lord Jesus, thank You for caring enough about me to show me my failings and how to be right with my God by confessing my sins and trusting in You as my Savior. Amen.

Lenten Challenge …

Consider it a day of “no selfies”.. Yes you heard it right.  Its difficult but not impossible.  Instead shift your focus to other beautiful things in life.  Click pictures of your loved ones, of nature, of little unusual things which otherwise goes unnoticed.

Hymn - I Just Keep Trusting My Lord …



Quiz Time …

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt4pQe_zFE

Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019

BIBLE = Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth 

In the Roman Rite, the beginning of the forty days of penance is marked with ashes that are blessed during Mass. The ashes are made by the burning of palms from last year's Palm Sunday -- palms that were waved in victory and praise.  After we leave the church, we leave the ashes on our foreheads until they wear off naturally from the course of the day's activities. They are a public witness to those things our society does not wish to embrace: the reality of death, penance for sin, and the hope of resurrection in Our Lord, Jesus Christ.  The Alleluia and the Gloria are suppressed until Easter.  Abstinence from eating meat is to be observed on all Fridays (Wednesdays in the Middle East) during Lent.

Scripture ...
Luke 22:1

Reflection ...

The backdrop for our Lenten journey is the Jewish Passover. Long before Jesus’ day this Jewish festival enjoyed a rich, long history, dating back to the time of the Exodus when God delivered His people Israel from slavery in Egypt.

The Passover was the tenth and final plague God brought upon Egypt. Since Egypt’s leader, Pharaoh, had stubbornly refused to obey His command to free the Israelites, at midnight God would send a destroying angel to pass throughout the land of Egypt and kill all the firstborn children, including Pharaoh’s own heir.

But in love, God provided a way to escape this devastating plague. A lamb could be slain in place of the firstborn and its blood spread over the door frame of the house. When the angel of death reached a blood-marked house, God would command it to pass over and leave the firstborn unharmed.

Now we join Jesus as He prepares to celebrate His last Passover festival. While reminding His followers of that first great deliverance, He prepares to accomplish an even greater deliverance by sacrificing Himself and shedding His own blood on the cross of Calvary. All who believe in Him are marked by His blood and He will command the angel of death to pass over all believers who are marked in His blood by faith.

Prayer ...

Lord Jesus, Passover Lamb of God, thank You for offering Your own body and blood to deliver us from the angel of death. During this Lenten season deepen my appreciation for Your great sacrifice that I may be so thankful I won’t be able keep the glorious news to myself. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today …

Take nothing to eat between meals today.  By reducing our consumption, let us pray that there will be more for everybody to eat.  For those without bread, that they will be fed, and for those who have bread, that they will hunger for God.

Hymn - I Stand in Awe of You …

Quiz Time …

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttt4pQe_zFE

Lent Introduction

Welcome to the Lent reflections for 2019.  You are invited to come and 'walk' with me and my family as we journey towards Easter. 

Each day you will receive a video biblical passage with reflection and prayer, a Lenten Challenge (which is only a suggestion) and a quiz on the Stations of the Cross to challenge you in your faith journey. Also you will receive a video hymn with lyrics to sing along !!!!  
Total time required will be hardly 15 minutes..

Do share this with your families, relatives, friends and whoever you think will like to trod on a spiritual road this Lent.… You never know who may get touched and inspired on the way…   Let us together make Christ Jesus visible.  

If you are looking forward to this journey, please feel free to share your excitement by clicking the “Add a Comment” button below.

Wishing you a Holy and Blessed Lent.

Compiled from various sources on the internet by:

Sabrina Demelo

February 2nd - Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord

I am grateful to the various sites from where I picked up ideas for the write-ups, images and videos that happened to touch my heart while preparing myself and my children on our journey in faith .. I have tried giving credits where I could.. I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs. My sincere apologies if I have not given due credit in all places. - Sabrina D'Mello

(Credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnkDMQmHeYE

The feast of the Presentation of Our Lord is celebrated annually on February 2, exactly 40 days after Christmas (25-Dec).

According to the law of Moses it was required that Mary enters the temple for the ritual purification after giving birth.  Women weren't allowed to worship in the temple for 40 days after the birth for a boy, and 80 days for a girl. At the end of this time, women were brought to the Temple or Synagogue to be purified. After the ceremony, women were allowed to take part in religious services again.

Also, forty days was the time according to the Mosaic law, when Mary and Joseph had to present the Infant Jesus at the Temple to be dedicated to the Lord alongwith offering of a sacrifice.

Simeon holds the baby in his arms and says that Jesus will be “a light for the Gentiles”. In commemorating the arrival and manifestation of the divine light to the world, the Church each year blesses all the candles to be used in the church for the year. And hence it is also known as Candlemas Day.  The blessed candles kept by the faithful in their homes should be seen as a sign of Christ 'the light of the world' and an expression of faith.

On this day, the Church demonstrates its gratitude to all those in the community that dedicate themselves in a privileged way to prayer, that like Simeon and Anna, they too will receive the breath of the Spirit.

The Presentation of the Lord concludes the celebration of the Nativity.

Quiz Time

1. Click on the correct options

2. At the end, click on the submit

3. Scroll up and click on the View Score to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.