Be imitators of God

It is, then, a time of penance, but, as we have seen, this is not something negative. Lent should be lived in the spirit of filiation, which Christ has communicated to us and which is alive in our soul. Our Lord calls us to come nearer to him, to be like him: "Be imitators of God, as his dearly beloved children," cooperating humbly but fervently in the divine purpose of mending what is broken, of saving what is lost, of bringing back order to what sinful man has put out of order, of leading to its goal what has gone astray, of re-establishing the divine balance of all creation. St. Josemaria Escriva

Here we are the great season of Lent. I really like reading what St. Josemaria Escriva talks about Lent not being negative but a way to be imitators of God, we are His beloved children.

I recall once a holy priest talk about his conversion and once he was in Rome making a confession with a Holy Holy priest and he said that man's greatest sin is not believing, not living, that we are true sons and daughter of God. But we are so His beloved children, where we can run to Him during our lent and show Him our buries so that He will make it all better. He will kiss it and clean it out and bandage it up with His own life!

What I am planning to do for lent? Huh. I write it as my own reminder really nothing else , as my way of showing face to it, accountability I guess.

* Limit my use of the Internet (I am not much of a T.V. person) with the help of my friend, timer.

* That heroic moment, that getting out of bed at the ring of the bell.

* Reading more. I enjoy to read. Daily reading of Bible, In Conversation with God, Lent series , How to Profit from your faults and Lukewarmness, the Devil in diguise .

* On Fridays, we'll do the Stations on the Cross and we bought the CD from Holy Heroes Station of the Cross (its in Spanish as well!!) , crown of thorns, alms-giving and the Road to Easter.

A Prayer for Ash Wednesday

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, the all-holy one, who gives us life and all things. As we go about our lives, the press of our duties and activities often leads us to forget your presence and your love. We fall into sin and fail to live out the responsibilities that you have entrusted to those who were baptized into your Son.

In this holy season, help us to turn our minds and hearts back to you. Lead us into sincere repentance and renew our lives with your grace. Help us to remember that we are sinners, but even more, help us to remember your loving mercy.

As we live through this Ash Wednesday, may the crosses of ashes that mark our foreheads be a reminder to us and to those we meet that we belong to your Son. May our worship and prayer and penitence this day be sustained throughout these 40 days of Lent. Bring us refreshed and renewed to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.

We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.