Feast of The Annunciation

 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works

Which You have done;

And Your thoughts toward us

Cannot be recounted to You in order

(Psalms 40: 5)

Monday in the Third Week of Lent

 As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.

(Psalms 42: 1)

Third Sunday in Lent

 O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

(Psalms 63: 1)

Saturday in the Second Week of Lent

 Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits

(Psalms 103: 1, 2)

Friday in the Second Week of Lent

 The Lord is with me; 

I will not be afraid. 

What can mere mortals do to me?

(Psalms 118:6)

Thursday in the Second Week of Lent

 Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is the Lord

(Jeremiah 17: 7)

Feast of St. Joseph

 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;

With my mouth will I make known 

Your faithfulness to all generations.

(Psalms 89: 1)

Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent

 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? 

If God is for us, who can be against us?

(Romans 8:31)

Monday in the Second Week of Lent

 Help us, O God of our salvation,

For the glory of Your name;

And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins,

For Your name’s sake!

(Psalms 79: 9)

Second Sunday in Lent

 For in the time of trouble

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.

(Psalm 27: 5)

Saturday in the First Week of Lent

 Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

Who walk in the law of the Lord!

(Psalm 119: 1)

Friday in the First Week of Lent

 If any of you lacks wisdom, 

you should ask God, 

who gives generously to all without finding fault, 

and it will be given to you

(James 1:5)

Thursday in the First Week of Lent

 Whatever you want men to do to you, 

do also to them, 

for this is the Law and the Prophets.

(Matthew 7: 12)

Wednesday in the First Week of Lent

 Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

(Psalms 51: 11)

Tuesday in the First Week of Lent

 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them 

and delivers them from all their troubles.

(Psalms 34: 17)

Monday in the First Week of Lent

 The law of the Lord is perfect, 

converting the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, 

making wise the simple;

(Psalms 19: 7)

First Sunday in Lent

 No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling

(Psalms 91: 10)

Bible Study - Ash Wednesday

 

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of repentance, fasting, and reflection leading up to Easter.

• The ashes remind us of our mortality: “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).
• It is a time to turn away from sin and turn back to God.
• We reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and our need for His grace.

Main Themes for Today’s Sermon:

1. The Call to Repentance (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17)
2. True Fasting and Righteousness (Isaiah 58:1-12)
3. Be Reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10)
4. A Life of Humility Before God (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)
5. God’s Compassion and Forgiveness (Psalm 103:8-14)

 

I. The Call to Repentance (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17)

A. The Urgency of Repentance

The prophet Joel warns Israel of the coming Day of the Lord:

“Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill.” (Joel 2:1)

• The trumpet is a warning of judgment and a call to wake up spiritually.
• But God, in His mercy, offers hope:

“Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)

B. A Call for Wholehearted Repentance

Joel reminds us that repentance is not just an outward ritual but a matter of the heart:

“Rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:13)

• God desires genuine transformation, not just external actions.
• Ashes symbolize humility and repentance, but they must reflect an inner change.

Am I truly repenting with my heart, or just going through religious motions?

 

II. True Fasting and Righteousness (Isaiah 58:1-12)

A. The Wrong Way to Fast

God rebukes empty religious practices:

“Day after day they seek me out… they ask me for just decisions, but they do not act justly.” (Isaiah 58:2)

• The Israelites fasted and prayed but continued to oppress others.
• True fasting is not just giving up food but giving up sin.

B. The Right Way to Fast

God defines true fasting:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice… to set the oppressed free?” (Isaiah 58:6)

• True fasting is about action—helping the poor, caring for the needy, and living righteously.
• When we fast in a way that pleases God, He promises:

“Then your light will break forth like the dawn.” (Isaiah 58:8)

Am I using my fasting to grow closer to God and serve others?

 

III. Be Reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10)

A. The Urgency of Reconciliation

Paul reminds us:

“We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20b)

• Lent is a time to examine our hearts and make things right with God.
• Now is the time to accept God’s grace:

“Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

B. Living as Servants of God

Paul describes the sacrifices of true discipleship:

• Hardships, sufferings, yet rejoicing.
• Being poor, yet making others rich in faith.
• Having nothing, yet possessing everything in Christ.

Am I living a life that reflects reconciliation with God?

 

IV. A Life of Humility Before God (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)

A. Beware of Hypocrisy

Jesus warns against seeking human approval in religious practices:

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.” (Matthew 6:1)

• True giving, praying, and fasting should be done for God, not for show.
• Fasting should be about drawing closer to God, not gaining attention.

B. Store Up Treasures in Heaven

Jesus reminds us:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:19-20)

• Lent is a time to focus on eternal things, not temporary pleasures.
• Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.

Am I seeking God’s approval or the world’s?

 

V. God’s Compassion and Forgiveness (Psalm 103:8-14)

A. The Lord is Compassionate

Psalm 103 beautifully describes God’s mercy:

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Psalm 103:8)

• God does not treat us as our sins deserve.
• As far as the east is from the west, He removes our sins from us.

B. Why This Matters on Ash Wednesday

• Ashes remind us of our sin, but also of God’s mercy.
• God forgives, restores, and renews those who seek Him.

Am I fully trusting in God’s mercy and forgiveness?

As we begin this Lenten season, let us take Ash Wednesday seriously:
Repent sincerely, with our hearts, not just outward actions.
Fast in a way that pleases God—through righteousness and service.
Be reconciled to God and live for eternal treasures.
Trust in God’s mercy and seek renewal.

Final Challenge:

• How will I use Lent as a time of true transformation?
• What do I need to turn away from to grow closer to God?
• How will I make prayer, fasting, and giving more meaningful this season?