Friday, March 18, 2011

When you Pray the 'Way of the Cross' do it with meditation and penence

How to Pray the 'Way of the Cross'...and when to say the 'Way of the Cross'...?

Catholics and some Christian denominations offer the 'Way of the Cross' very often especially during the Holy Season of Lent. It is strongly advisable to meditate and pray this prayer of the Lord's Passion on all the days of the lent if possible. If not possible, it is essential to offer this prayer at least once in a week during the days of lint-preferably on Fridays. As far as possible it is appreciable to make this prayer in the Church, as a community.

When we make this special Prayer to meditate the inexplicable sufferings of our Lord, it is appreciable and more effective when done with little penance. For instance in most Churches the fourteen (now-a-days 15) Stations of the Cross is set up. When we are making that particular Prayer, we need to walk through the stations as far as possible. During the Prayer after announcing each Station when all say; "We adore You O' Christ....", we should physically adore our Savior at least kneeling on both legs and bowing the head. If possible prostating is highly valued...!

When this Prayer is held inside a Church, after the seventh Station when we go to the eighth place which is on the other side of the Church, never forget to show proper reverence to the Eucharistic Lord by bowing/kneeling/prostrating....!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

The Lenten Season 2011; Get Ready for Self examination and Purification

The Season of Lent for 2011 is approaching. For Syrian Christians of the East it starts on the 7th of March (Monday) and for most other global Christian communities this year,s Lent starts on March 9th that is on the Ash Wednesday.

The season of Lent gives us an opportunity to make self examination of the condition of our spiritual life and soul. On Ash Wednesday, ash is applied on the foreheads of the devotees by the Priest saying, "Man, you are dust and unto dust you shall return".

When we are busy with material satisfaction and worldly affairs, most of us do not dare to think when we shall return to the soil. We all know that human life on this earth has no guarantee at all..! But we seldom care to bother on what path is our life traveling. (I am not at all sure that I will be alive tomorrow to post another topic on this blog or you shall be alive to read it.) I am not writing this to scare anyone, but to remind the followers of Lord Jesus Christ, that every Christian should be ready to go to his/her heavenly abode which is permanent and for which we are called. It is high time for today's Christian to ask oneself 'whether we are fit to be called Christians'...?

So let us not just tolerate this Lenten season but celebrate it with joy nor endure it with a sigh but enjoy it as it is a golden opportunity granted by the Lord to check our relationship with HIM and increase in our Spiritual lives...!