₦airaland Forum

Rich4god:
LENTEN APPETISER: Isaiah 58:9-14, Lk 5:27-32. The love of God for sinners reveals itself Matthew's vocation; about how he was called by Our Lord. The Apostle shows his gratitude towards Jesus by a prompt response: And left everything, and rose and followed Him. The choice of Levi is revolutionary because tax collectors were a despited lot. Leaving 'everything' is an indication of Levi's readiness to follow Jesus in his lifestyle, to take on a new kind of life that Jesus is offering. The life of Levi becomes an example for all of us of our potential to do extraordinary things for God. Today, the Lord is calling on us to do something "special" for Him. The Pharisees were scandalised. They asked the disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with sinners? The publicans were considered as sinners, because of the disproportionate benefits that they could obtain through their work and because of their dealings with the Gentiles. Jesus answered the Pharisees with these consoling words: Those who are well have no need of a physician... Jesus comes for all, for we are all sick and we are all sinners; No one is good but God alone. We must all seek God's mercy and forgiveness in order to have life and to reach salvation. The words of Our Lord, who presents Himself to us as Physician, move us to ask humbly and confidently for the forgiveness for our sins. May the Lord show us His mercy and grant us His steadfast love! Good morning and have a pleasant day!!!

Thanks bro, God bless you.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

SalC:
Sure it does! Thanks

To God be the glory. You're welcome.

SalC:
Thanks for this update, I learnt a lot .
For someone who can't fast, how can he supplement that?

Note this:

Fasting in the Catholic discipline involves eating just one full meal in a day...from tradition it's usually lunch.., then something could be taken at two other times; which if the two are combined cannot be equal to a full meal. Chai...this church eh...my burden is easy and my yoke is light.

The above is compulsory on ash Wednesday and good Friday as It's difficult for one not to be able to fulfill the basic requirement for this on such days. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, neither the law of fasting nor the law of abstinence obliges. If in doubt, please ask your parish priest or confessor.

However, Other forms of “fasting,” especially regarding alcoholic drink, needless television, video games, Internet use and social entertainment, and such as i posted earlier... on pg 314... is of true spiritual value and is strongly encouraged.

Airport workers, travelers, and others while on board ships or airplanes are dispensed from the laws of fast and abstinence for the duration of their journey (except on Good Friday). It is desirable that they perform some other pious act instead.

Hope this suffices.

Kamsified:
I read the 2Sam 12 so inspiring!!!!!!! So many take aways from your message.
I join Uben in thanking God for you.
Have a nice day as well

Then Just like I told Uben, thank you very much and may God bless you immensely.

Fasting, abstinence and alms giving as requested by wonda26 and highlighted in today's reading of (Is 58:1-9)

All around us, people often keep away from something. Each time we "keep away from" anything, we actually abstain from that thing. So abstinence is got from keeping away, hence to abstain from drink is to keep away from drink, to abstain from gossip is to keep away from gossip, to abstain from going to a parish is to keep away from that parish. Abstinence could be for a period of time, or for a life time.
However for Catholics and for the purpose of lent, abstinence strictly means to keep away from meat.


Generally speaking, once abstinence is about food and drink; it is called Fasting. Fasting could be said to be divided into two.
The first is complete abstinence from food and drink (the type the jim jim brothers and sisters dey do before deliverance session).This fast was total, and a means of watching and waiting…i.e; for something. Recall the type king David did in (2Samuel 12:16-20), when he was waiting on God's decision regarding his son. This is the nature of the fast prescribed by the Church before Holy Communion...at least 1hr.
The second fast is a fast of abstinence from certain foods, e.g., meats or fats. This one is partial, and more an act of self-discipline and self-control. Chai...It is the failure of our first parents to adhere to this fast (Gen.2,3) that brought us to this situation...common to abstain from one fruit out of many...there is God o my people. But it's not all gloomy, after all it brought us Jesus and showed us the extent the creator loved His creature.
Fasting in the Catholic discipline involves eating just one full meal in a day...from tradition it's usually lunch.., then something could be taken at two other times; which if the two are combined cannot be equal to a full meal. Chai...this church eh...my burden is easy and my yoke is light.


We fast to keep the body disciplined and subject to the spirit, food strengthens the flesh and from experience we've seen that the flesh is better a servant than a master. In (Gen. 3), the flesh lead our first parents, when they obeyed the flesh's dictate, they failed the spirit and disobeyed God. Even in (Jer 5:7), God complained about the children of Israel thus: "...I fed them to the full, they committed adultery" smh. However the second Adam, Jesus Christ, thought us the way to go, He fasted for a period of time, when the devil tempted him with food as he did our first parents, Jesus exposed the secret that his earlier victims did not know "Man does not live by bread alone" (Matt.4:4).
Fasting for the catholic and especially during lent is compulsory for all adults, but exempts the aged and weak. The range of this age, varies from place to place depending on the conference of Bishop's decision.


Christian Fasting is not just about abstaining from food, it's about promoting the works of the spirit as such times. Acknowledging the Godliness in us and making it visible to others, that Godliness is made manifest when we exhibit the fruits of the spirit in our spiritual and Corporal works of mercy. This involves alms giving (the act of giving to the poor) in different forms during the fasting periods, for this is the demand of God. Since we are asking for pardon by showing our remorse,and seeking to please God, we give alms. Please see today's reading (Isaiah 58:1-9) on the fasting that pleases the lord.
Fasting for the catholic and especially during lent is accompanied by prayers and good works, this promotes the works of the spirit and keeps the flesh under subjection.

Finally let me paste here the guide to Lenten fasts for those in nigeria, as published by the archdiocese of Lagos sometime ago, the dates are removed.


ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS - LENTEN REGULATIONS

1. The Holy Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday
2. All the Faithful are bound by the Divine Law to do penance (C. 1249).
3. Penitential days and time in the Universal Church are every Friday of the year and the period of Lent (C. 1250). In Nigeria, the Catholic Bishop's Conference lays it down that abstinence from meat or favorite dish, drink or smoking, is to be observed on all Fridays.
4. Abstinence and Fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (C. 1251).
5. The Law of Abstinence forbids flesh meat, but no eggs, milk products, sauces or soups, even if made from animal fat. This law binds all those who have had their 14th birthday (C. 1252).
6. The Law of Fasting lays down that only one full meal is to be taken in a day. This law binds all those of adult age i.e. all who have celebrated their 21st birthday until they begin their 60th year.
7. Others forms of Penance such as regular attendance at Morning Mass, Stations of the Cross, an hour of Adoration, help to the needy, etc are high recommended.

Sorry about the length, I couldn't make it shorter.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all

Ubenedictus:
COM-PASSION

Hebrew 4:15

For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are.

If we followed the readings for the past 3 weeks we will see a recurring theme in the gospel, Jesus was move with mercy and he heals the sick, last sunday was interesting because Jesus was moved with pity, with mercy, with compassion and he touched an "unclean" leper even before he heals him. The letter to the hebrews informs us that Christ our mediator is able to identify with our weakness, he feels for us and with us, he has co-passion on us. He feels what we feel. He cares.

But, do we care what he feels? Because co-passion goes both ways, it is feeling together or rather feeling with the other.

Scriptures says,
"For our sake He made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God"

He is God who loves us so much to share our nature, he is pure, his nature is anti-sin, he was made sin for us! He himself bore our sins on his body on the cross, do we care? He sweated blood for Our sins, he was beaten, crowned with thorn, shamed and disgrace for our sin, do we care? Can we look a our selves through his eyes? Can we see the dust and ashes loved by God?
Do we see how our love cost him? It is not just the blood thirstiness of the pharisee or the wickedness of the soldiers or the judgement of pilate that killed him it is our sins. We drew the sticks and beat him, we took the thorns and crowned him, we nailed him to the cross, He looked at our sins and his sweat turned into blood. What will we do for a love so great?

He love us so much that he gives us his righeousness, what have we done with it? Have we recieved his grace in vain?

Can we return to him? can we accept his righteousness which he gives without cost? Can we live reconciled to God. Can we make a firm resolve this lent to abstain now and always from all known sins? Can we practice in reality that which we have recieved by faith?

The ashes we recieved is a sign of radical changes, what changes are we making in our lives or is it business as usual.

He loved us and gave his life for us what can we do to love a brothers and sister, what about the poor family living in our street? Oh, what about that grievous sinner? would you stand before God this lent and plead "spare your people", will you take it as your duty as a priest to pray for him? Alms, prayer and Fasting.

There is nothing more beautiful than to fast from sin, it is possible! God himself has made us his holy people, a people set apart, can we resolve now and always to reject satan and all his works, to reject sin and cling to God?


It is possible to live a life without mortal sin! There are many success stories, will we make a resolve this lent to drop that sin which ties us to earth, to reject without second thought that recurring temptation or that habitual sin.

He loves us to die for us will we give ourselves for his love?

Peace.

May God help me to love truly; and eliminate selfishness from my life, same vice that makes my relationship with God parasitic... only looking for what I can get from him. Same vice that makes me consider my luxury first before the need of another, same reason that makes me feel am the one to be shown love and not the one to show love. It's this vice that hardens my heart from compassion most times. May God help me o, selfishness go kill somebody. Thank you for this message, God bless you.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

It is scriptural. The ash Wednesday is the beginning of a forty day retreat period for the church, during this period,

1. members are led to recall the reality of man being nothing but dust and ash.
(Genesis 18:27)And Abraham replied, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.


2.This leads to a realization of how great an offense it is; that man(who is but dust) should disobey God in the various ways His commandments have been infringed on, and subsequently ask for pardon.
(Job 42:6) Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.
(Daniel 9:3)So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.
(Luke 10:13)"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

3.Lastly there is a cultivated motivation to change from old ways of wrong to new ways of right, the length of this period helps one become stronger and more resolute in eliminating vices and acquiring virtues(in summary; to resist temptation), by the graces received from God, who himself originated the time frame using Jesus as an example for us all.
(Matt.4:2)And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.

PrettySpicey:
I'll do my best to, Syncan. I too I'm in dire need of encouragement and reminders. The Body of Christ might be turn into a million pieces, but there's only ONE Holy Church.

And there is no Season of the Church which speaks more of our salvation like the Lenten and Pascal Season.

Your best is all that's needed Sis, am sure the bold will be satisfied here in this period; both by the brethren and your contribution. I have nothing else to add to your words, they are as perfect as can be.

Ubenedictus:
beautiful one.

I continue to thank God for you.

Thank you very much. May God bless you immensely.

Ubenedictus:
you just dey find my trouble. I am simply basking in your light.

Today na ash wednesday, I jump and pass.

PrettySpicey:
I sincerely wish to draw nearer to the Cross during this Lenten Season.

O to recover What it used to mean to me this period when I suffer a little with my Suffering Christ.

I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief!

Don't forget to always come around here this period, your presence will always encourage the brethren. May God bless your efforts with success. Amen.

Tranglatar:
Practical Lesson and what Man is

One day in PHC along Aba Rd near the mile 1 flyover, there was an exchange of words btw a man driving a Jeep and a 'kabu-kabu" driver. It seemed the car driver hit the Jeep and the Jeep owner was screaming; what he can do, etc.

He kept on asking the subdued car driver and all who cared to listen if they know who he is - 'do you know who i am?"

Then a woman driving by stopped as the event has caused a traffic scene with attendant chaos. she heard what the man said, bent down and scooped some sand from the road by the kerb and showed the man boasting saying" this is what you are.

The angry man looked at the woman, the sand/ dust in her hands, closed his mouth, entered his jeep and rove off

Even if for most part of the year we chose to forget that we are dust, the Church in Her wisdom has set the season of lent apart for us to compulsorily remember what we are

May the Blessed Virgin Mary continue to intercede for us

Very Practical lady she was. Swift and penetrating lecture she gave. Thanks for sharing.

Kamsified:
Same to you bro.
Yes I can. Thanks for breaking it down

You're welcome dear, I'm glad it was of help. God bless you.

Rich4god:
may God help us all through this season...morning friends...

Amen. Good morning bro.

Papist:
My brother are you quoting from the Latin Vulgate? Are you this good with Church Latin? I'm impressed.

Shhh, hush hush bro, you know there's google

Kizmarty:
hope we ain't breaking any rules o like derailing?
Emm..I just saw Catholic and jumped in here...mind reminding me what's the purpose of this thread?

You've broken no rules, you and JoeCutie are welcome. For the purpose of the thread, see Psalm 133: Ecce quam bonum et quam jucundum habitare fratres in unum (Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity).

Today's Second reading (2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2)

We are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal that we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God. For our sake God made the sinless one into sin, so that in him we might become the goodness of God. As his fellow workers, we beg you once again not to neglect the grace of God that you have received. For he says: At the favourable time, I have listened to you; on the day of salvation I came to your help. Well, now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation.

I am a winner and not a loser, I am a winner and not a loser, I am a winner and not a loser, how often do we hear these? Oh how contemptuous we hold that statement "you're a loser". The mere thought of it awakens a spontaneous rejection within us which propels one towards the opposite, hence the affirmation "I am a winner". This motivational exclamation has more often than not been the drive mechanism for great achievements even among children. Hence today dear brethren, I charge you, in full conviction of God's aid to one who is determined, to say with me "I am a winner and not a loser"! Beloved, we shall win over our speech; that are often lies and hurt people so much, we shall win over our sight; that seek for pornography in many ways, we shall win over our touch that turns every contact to sensual pleasure, we shall win over our thoughts; that is mostly ungodly in content. Amen Amen, this lenten season, we shall come out victorious, yes for those of us who are winners. Again I ask you to say "I am a winner"!

How do I start? Where do I start from? Am afraid of lengthy fasts, I cannot pray for long periods, nor do I drink alcohol to say I'll abstain. What do I start with? Well... where there is a will, there opens a way. I can avoid the other sections of NL and concentrate on religion today, I can decide to stay away today from other social media platforms for vanities, I can offer my one meal money to a begger or one in need of it, I can refuse to watch television or at least : telemundo,super story, champions league, music video channels, movies etc today. While I do these, I can say a rosary more than I used to, I can say the Divine mercy which I've never said for a long time, I can visit the chapel during break, I can read read some passages of scripture today, I can say many ejaculatory prayers such as "Jesus, Mary I love you save souls", I can determine not to go to sleep today without doing one good work, I shall continuously today; ask God in my heart, and sometimes softly with my lips; to have mercy and pardon my sins. The Spirit of God is present, He will teach us new things, new ways of pleasing the Lord, only if we say "Yes I can, I am a winner". May the Lord look kindly on you as you pray for Syncan too.

Good morning, a splendid day ahead to all.

Rose2014, pls say hi to the brethren, e no go finish your data stock na.

Ubenedictus:
the feelin is mutual, I hope to take much from the brethrens here on nl.

We know dearest one, we however await your guidance.

Peppyluv:
May God help me, I am ready for the journey and wish to continue with the spiritual life afterwards. Our Lady of perpetual help,keep interceding for us.

Amen Amen. May God help us.

From Today's reading... Gen 6:5
The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that the thoughts in his heart fashioned nothing but wickedness all day long. The Lord regretted having made man on the earth, and his heart grieved

There's this book called the confessions, bro Jnrbayano have you read it? It's a compendium of the life of a great saint, in it he confessed to have lived with a mistress for seventeen(17) years, yet repented and he is a saint today, August 28 is his feast day. Okpururkata my Sister, do you know about St. Mary of egypt? This babe became a very skillful seductress, at a time she decided to go for a pilgrimage to Israel...nne make you hear story na...by the time the ship arrived it's destination, our sister had seduced the entire crew and all the pilgrims. Yet she didn't leave Jerusalem the way she came, for she repented there, Confessed her sins, and lived the life of a hermit. April 2 is her feast day, Praise God. Chukwudi44 nwanne m, you de see wetin Vladimir Putin dey do? Imakwa na Vladimir is the name of a saint from kiev, this saint killed his brother to become king, raped his sister in law and added her to his collection of concubines, then sacrificed a father and son to consecrate a pagan temple, but he got converted, tore down the temple and commenced evangelism of his people.Today he is a saint, feast day is July15. The mercies of our God is so great, let our past not hinder us from running to him. we fail, yes we fail, but our loving father with wide spread hands waits patiently, Oh he waits patiently for the lost sheep to come home, where is home, in the loving embrace of the Lord. This is the time for confessions, this is time for a u-turn, today is the day of grace, tomorrow we have no control over. Go for confessions, God is waiting there, with Love in His eyes.

From the Gospel Mk 8:14-21
...‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear?...

Jesus was so hurt by the behavior of the pharisees earlier, such that even after leaving the place with his disciples, he still felt bad about them. However when he warned his disciples about the behavior of the pharisees, they by their lack of understanding, even provoked him more. Yes our God is offended by the sins of apostates, blasphemers, heretics, murderers, etc, but he doesn't feel any better by the lies, arrogance, malice, lust, rudeness, lack of charity, lukewarmness, etc of his own children. Papist dear, the fact that we can always forgive a loved one, does it make their misdemeanor any less painful? Actually, the more the love, the more the hurt, for just as the saying goes "You should have known better". *singing* "E jefula moooo n'uzo kasi njo, mana oge ugbua; a lotawo m ooo ewoo. Lee nu mu ooo, lee nu mu ooo, lee nu mu ooo, onye nwe m alotawo m muoooo". Let the cry be " Am back Lord, am back, Like the prodigal son am back, like the lost sheep am back, ready to listen, ready to obey, ready to love you Lord like you deserve...

:
Mr Aladin, Cypher Cypher, engrtee, leon12, Nonso23, OKpurukata, try69, mykindofperfect, Step2002, Thersa, babestell, Chidima, Italo, Ubenedictus, Syncan, POPEII, Woky, Damerry, Chukwudi44, Stricktlymi, debbie, MariaGorreti, Rich4god, Richieboyn, Nomski0, unongu, FrancisTony, Mzflexydeeva, peppyluv, Jnrbayano, youngprofdguru, Demain man, Sirjay50, Harmvirus, Kamsy10, Freddestiny, Shizzle11, cold blooded, Ceej24, Godwin88, Jennydoris, vest, SalC, Ify124,Trendytessy, bluerange, modestdude, Francistony, calabarboi, ChineloSA, Chikk, etc.

... brethren let the 40 days Journey begin.

babestell:
Kamsified

Thank you for your valentine wishes.

@ SalC. Syncan, Kamsified, and rest of the family
Please don't mind my absence am around here in spirit. Apparently Ash Wednesday is on wednesday.....am back to celebrate the next 40 days with the holiest set of people I know on earth.

Italo...where are you...Are we not going to put up advert on homepage again.

Italo come o, duty calls...don't let me call you for phone o. Nne, make una remember me for prayers for that place @ bold.

Rich4god:
Good morning everyone. a pleasant week ahead...... As lent is around the corner, I hope you guys will do the thing.

cc,: ubenedictus, syncan, salc.

Do which thing? I trust you are well prepared, am also looking to be nourished by Ubenedictus and all you brethren.

Rich4god:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BOUQUET: Gen. 4:1-5.25, Mk 8:11-13. Today's first reading tells us of Abel's offering to God, the first fruits of his endeavour and the finest of his cattle. His offering was pleasing to God, in contrast with his brother's. Cain did not offer the best of harvest. It is not the inherent objective quality of Abel's offering that makes it better. It is his dedication and generosity - his intention. So, God looked favourably on the victims Abel sacrificed, and according to an ancient Jewish tradition perhaps sent down fire to consume them as a sign of his acceptance. In our lives too, we have to offer the best we have to God. We have to present the offering of Abel, not that of Cain. We are to give God the best of our time, our goods, our life. We cannot give Him the worst, what is surplus to our requirements, what makes no real demand on us or what is left over and we don't need. The whole of our life is for God, and that includes the best of all we've got. Today, we are challenged to give God the best. Instead of looking for signs like the Pharisees in today' Gospel, we called to seek the Lord with sincerity of heart. If we seek the Lord, we can be confident that He will give us everything we need to do His will. May the Lord protect us by His power throughout the course of this week even as He enabled us to begin it and may He not allow us to turn aside to any sin, but that our every thought, word and deed aim at doing what is pleasing in His sight! Amen!! Good morning and have a successful and fulfilled working week!!!

Amen Amen. Thanks and a splendid day ahead to you and all.

Jennydoris:
Wetin you wan make I use?

Depends on what you need it for.

Jennydoris:
Yes ooo...

That period of the year is here again.....


It's ok. Make una enjoy una. Self wella..
As for me NEPA abi na EEDC no gree give me light... I just dey vex

Wetin you de use EEDC light do again.

bluerange:
Good evening. Oga bro syncan.

Apunanwu good evening, hope you're doing great.

Jennydoris:
a wonderful evening to my brethren in the house...
What's up?

A pleasant evening to you, nothing much o, just listening to bluerange and Kamsified chat along.

Kamsified:
I greet u sir. How was your day today?

Ada mmadu, my day was fine, yours?

Kamsified:
I sighteth Syncan and Jennydoris

You sighteth well Adanne, Woky is here too.

Am viewing Woky and Jennydorris.

Ubenedictus:
syncan see weytin ur answers dey cause?

No be me be first, Jesus answer fall people too. "As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground". Jn18:6