fasting

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Wednesday, 13 February 2013 : Ash Wednesday (Gospel Reading)

Mark 6 : 1-6, 16-18

Be careful not to make a show of your righteousness before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven. When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be seen in the synagogues and in the streets, in order to be praised by the people. I assure you, they have already been paid in full.

If you give something to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

When you pray, do not be like those who want to be seen. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept secret will reward you.

When you fast, do not put on a miserable face as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face, so that people can see that they are fasting. I tell you this : they have been paid in full already. When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for your Father who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

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Wednesday, 13 February 2013 : Ash Wednesday (First Reading)

Joel 2 : 12-18

YHVH says, “Yet even now, return to Me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your heart, not your garment. Return to YHVH, your God – gracious and compassionate.”

YHVH is slow to anger, full of kindness, and He repents of having punished. Who knows? Probably He will relent once more and spare some part of the harvest from which we may bring sacred offerings to YHVH, your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion, proclaim a sacred fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the people, sanctify the community, bring together the elders, even the children and infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his bed, and the bride her room.

Between the vestibule and the altar, let the priests, YHVH’s ministers, weep and say : “Spare your people, YHVH. Do not humble them or make them an object of scorn among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples : Where is their God?”

YHVH has become jealous for His land; He has had pity on His people.

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Chinese New Year message from the Archbishop of Singapore, Archbishop Nicholas Chia

As the Chinese New Year is approaching (Sunday, 10 February 2013), Chinese people throughout the world are preparing for the festive season, which is most important in the rich Chinese culture.

However, let us all, especially Chinese Christians, remember that the season of Lent is also approaching (Ash Wednesday on 13 February 2013), and therefore, do not forget that, in all our joys, let us also remember the poor and unfortunate ones around us, and make sure to give some of our joys to them to share together in true joy in the Lord.

And do not forget to pray always for our brethren in faith in China, that they will be strong in their faith despite active persecution by those who hates the Lord and His faithful.

 

http://www.catholicnews.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8345%3Aarchbishops-chinese-new-year-message&catid=329%3Afebruary-10-2013-vol-63-no-03&Itemid=79

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we celebrate the Lunar New Year during this Year of Faith, I would like to express my best wishes to all Chinese Singaporeans that this feast may bring about an increase of faith and love for you and your families.

Faith is an expression of believing in God, even when we do not always understand God’s will in our lives.

To truly live faith-filled lives, we must rediscover a greater understanding of our Catholic faith. It is through a re-evangelisation of our own Catholic faith that we can reach out to our family members and to others in our society.

Faith never travels alone, it is always accompanied by hope and love. By focusing on strengthening our faith this Chinese New Year and the year ahead, we will also increase our hope in attaining heavenly glory, as well as sharing our love to those we most need it. 

Let the red packets and gifts we give out at this happy time not only signify the sharing of temporal goods, but also the generous giving of our lives and talents in the service of others.

Let us also continue to offer together our fervent prayers for the Church in China, that Chinese Catholics may be steadfast witnesses of faith to the love that Jesus has shown us and to the Universal Church.

Wishing you all a faith-filled and blessed Chinese New Year!

Yours in Christ

Archbishop Nicholas Chia