“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

Today we celebrate the First Sunday of Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends before Easter Sunday. It lasts for 40 days, in commemoration of the time that Jesus spends before beginning his public ministry, fasting in the desert, where He endures temptation by the Devil.

The Church asks us during Lent to increase our prayer, do more penance, repent our sins and practice almsgiving, atonement and self-denial. Others also add reading a daily devotional to draw closer to God or observe the Stations of the Cross to commemorate Christ's carrying the Cross and of his execution on Fridays.

Lent is a season of introspection, a time of taking personal inventory, a period of soul-searching and self-examination. It offers us an annual opportunity for spiritual cleansing, to recognize our failures and sinfulness, to seek forgiveness and to grow deeper in faith, more fervent in love and firmer in hope.

The Church challenges us to look at God. This shift in perspective is precisely what repentance and conversion really means, to turn, focus and center on God. Thus, Lent is a season for putting on the mind and heart of God through Jesus Christ with new eyes, a warmer heart and open hands.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to repent our sins, reflect on our vocation of dynamic Christian discipleship to live a holy life to fulfill God’s will and obtain our salvation.

How can we repent our sins, be more united with Jesus, resist and fight our sinful tendency to evil and truly listen to God?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.