"APP" on Ash Wednesday

Source

This evening, Maita and I went to the 6:30 p.m. mass at  St. Benedict Chapel in Alabang Hills. The officiating priest was Fr. Olegario Z. Cammeleran OSB.

During his homily, Fr. Cammeleran shared  that there are 3 things to remember during Lent, which officially begins today.   Below,  with my mental notes,  is the acronym -- that I was able to make out of the Fr. Cammeleran's points:

• A-- Almsgiving.  To share with others.  I take this to   mean not only our treasure, but our time and talents.
• P-- Penance.  To reconcile with God and others. This   is in line with today's imposition of ash on the foreheads of the faithful,  the priest or lay minister would say "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."
• P-- Prayer.  To dialogue with our Lord--  speaking  with and listening to  Him.

From today's first reading, Joel 2: 12-18, the words "...return to the Lord"  resonated to me.  It brought to mind an old song from my high school days.  Below is the video, with lyrics, of  "Come Back To Me."  Here's to a meaningful Lenten Season for all of us.

"Ascetic" is a Sports Term

During the Ash Wednesday mass  I attended  today, which  was officiated by Fr. Vic R. Baltazar, SJ, I learned that the word "ascetic" is a sports term.

I have always associated  that word   with monks and cloisters, but Fr. Baltazar  explained that "ascetic" comes from the Greek word "asketes."  It was originally  used to mean "to train for athletic competitions."


Fr. Baltazar pointed out that athletes  are subjected to  strict discipline-- they have to say NO to a lot of things in order for them to achieve their desired level of  skills and fitness.

We too are called to a life to asceticism-- but not necessarily  in the monastic sense. To me,  it  means saying  NO to distractions and inordinate attachments in order for me to give my  YES  to   bigger, deeply meaningful commitments.

With the start of  Lent,  I expect to say NO to myself more often.