One: ASH

Today is ASH Wednesday. Thank God, I was given a rare opportunity to hear mass with my family. As I was reflecting on the essence of this season, an idea suddenly came. I thought of a blogging project I would call "40 Days to Holiness" or simply "40 Days." For forty straight days beginning today, I would post a reflection, a story, a quote, or anything worth sharing. Hopefully, this will rekindle my fire and motivate me to accomplish one of my goals this year: regularly BLOG for GOD. :)

For day one, I'd like to share this beautiful message I got from Tito George Campos: "The challenge of the season is summed up in the word ASH: Alms-giving, Sacrifice, Holiness. In prayer, we attune our lives to Him and make Him rule our ways and will."

During his homily, Fr. Maico affirmed this when he mentioned about alms-giving, prayer (holiness), and fasting (sacrifice). Truly, lent is all about these three. But I strongly believe that these three should not only be observed during lent, but everyday of our lives. In the same way that we should give love NOT ONLY on Christmas day, but every single day. :)

The call for all Christians is to live out our faith not only on special occasions, but most especially on regular days. And we are not actually required to do extraordinary things, but ordinary things with extraordinary love and passion. Alms-giving, sacrifice, and holiness, should be an everyday thing. They should be part of our lifestyle, with or without occasion, with someone looking or without anybody knowing. Anyway, our God who is a God for all seasons, is a God who knows all, sees all, and appreciates all.

As we start our journey towards Easter Sunday, the greatest victory mankind has ever seen, may we be reminded that from ASH we came, to ASH we will return, and we are challenged to observe ASH each and everyday of our lives.

A blessed Ash Wednesday, everyone! :)

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