Commemorating LENT

Lent is near. I am still contemplating if I can fast since my work is very heavy and fast. If I skip or eat the wrong food, I may faint or not have the stamina. About the foods I may avoid or eat, I'll ask again my spiritual confessor.

That said, I will never forget prayer every morning and evening(regardless of Lent or not), confess my sins more and more, go to church often, ask God for forgiveness and do what I must do in life.

It's hard that I work on factories but I will try my best to commemorate Lent as well as fasting until Easter. And as a reminder:

Fasting can take up a significant portion of the calendar year. The purpose of fasting is not to suffer, but according to Sacred Tradition to guard against gluttony and impure thoughts, deeds and words. Fasting must always be accompanied by increased prayer and almsgiving (donating to a local charity, or directly to the poor, depending on circumstances). To engage in fasting without them is considered useless or even spiritually harmful. To repent of one's sins and to reach out in love to others is part and parcel of true fasting.

It's not just during LENT we sacrifice

So, Lent started this Monday but because of my work, I have to stay fit or eat properly. I may or may not fast because of it too. Hope God sees my prayers and how I struggle to become a better person.

But I ponder that, we should not just sacrifice this Lent but most of all, everyday. We don't know what may happen but we have to be ready because God gives us challenges we will overcome. When I mean sacrifice, it's not just refraining from meat or cheese but also trying your best not to say foul words or thinking something bad or a lot of negative traits. Because one thing is sure, God sees us whether we do good or bad things. At Judgement Day, he will see whether we are deserving of his kingdom.

Of course I am praying for it but it's God's will to test me more. We are all sinners but because there is God, we will realize the error of our ways and will strive hard to change for the better while we dedicate everything to him. That's why we pray often the Jesus Prayer along with our personal and from-the-book prayers.

We can fast anytime, help the poor or the needy, forgive our enemies and pray sincerely. That's not just restricted to Lent, so it's what God gave us. The free will to live our lives as a true Christian.

Have a blessed Lent to everyone. God be with us all. +++

What Food for Lent?

I often ask everyone about what to eat for Lent or if they know some recipes. I know it's a bit weird but I need to be curious because fasting in Lent is not to be taken for granted. I guess I have to eat any meat when I have work since work here in Japan is either fast or heavy and I got the memo from my Spiritual Father but it's still a compliment to fast from meat when I don't have work.

For example, would these food be fine for the whole Lent?

1. Vegetables
2. Fruits
3. Bread
4. Rice

Hope to learn more about the food for Lent.