Though the Holy Season of Lent commences on the Ash Wednesday in the universal Catholic Church, the Syro-Malabar Church and the Eastern Churches start the 50-days fasting and abstinence (valiya noyambu) on the Sunday before the Ash Wednesday every year.
Petratha is derived from the Syriac word 'Peturta' which means 'looking back' or 'retrospect' one's own life and make a self evaluation. Many Nazrani people still think that Pethratha is the last day before the commencement of the 7-weeks Lenten Season to feast, eat, drink and enjoy to their heart's content. That is what most of us saw in our homes in our childhood days and were taught. Until some years ago, I was also thinking and practising like that. I used to observe the 50 noyambu without any drinks and non vegetarian food (which was a regular affair then), only on Religious grounds and for the sake of the non Christian community with whom I used to have all those things. The 50-days fasting and abstinence season was somewhat like a tedious time for me even though outwardly I did not reveal it but acted as if I spiritually enjoyed it.
But after attaining awareness and some grace, now I realize and declare that Pethratha is not the eve of a boring period in the liturgical year, but the gateway to a truly rewarding and Graceful Holy season of Lent. Now I do feel and can say that the Lenten Season is the 'best' season in the liturgical calendar. During this season one can make a self examination and make a true repentance for all the sins and transgressions. It is a time to meditate on the great agony the Lord had undergone for my (and your) sake!
So dear reader, you and I are fortunate as we are still alive now and got another opportunity to examine the past life and to return to God. Here is another chance for us to shun all the vices in our lives and to evade people or things that lead us to sins immediately. We know that many people (young and old) who were with us during this Holy Season last year are no more. So please do not continue to be a fool anymore... This is your day .... and this is your time. If you cannot get rid of certain bad habits that lead to sins, don't worry. There is an easy short-cut which I myself tested and succeeded easily...very easily. Resolve firmly and and make a promise (covenant) with the Holy Mother of Lord Jesus that you will Love God and Honour the Blessed Mother and Pray the Holy Rosary without fail till death. Start Praying Holy Rosary Prayers and see the miracles that happen in your life. The Holy Mother Who is full of God's Grace will grant you necessary Grace and strength for living in this dark world keeping eyes on Lord Jesus and a desire to become a Saint...!
Petratha is derived from the Syriac word 'Peturta' which means 'looking back' or 'retrospect' one's own life and make a self evaluation. Many Nazrani people still think that Pethratha is the last day before the commencement of the 7-weeks Lenten Season to feast, eat, drink and enjoy to their heart's content. That is what most of us saw in our homes in our childhood days and were taught. Until some years ago, I was also thinking and practising like that. I used to observe the 50 noyambu without any drinks and non vegetarian food (which was a regular affair then), only on Religious grounds and for the sake of the non Christian community with whom I used to have all those things. The 50-days fasting and abstinence season was somewhat like a tedious time for me even though outwardly I did not reveal it but acted as if I spiritually enjoyed it.
But after attaining awareness and some grace, now I realize and declare that Pethratha is not the eve of a boring period in the liturgical year, but the gateway to a truly rewarding and Graceful Holy season of Lent. Now I do feel and can say that the Lenten Season is the 'best' season in the liturgical calendar. During this season one can make a self examination and make a true repentance for all the sins and transgressions. It is a time to meditate on the great agony the Lord had undergone for my (and your) sake!
So dear reader, you and I are fortunate as we are still alive now and got another opportunity to examine the past life and to return to God. Here is another chance for us to shun all the vices in our lives and to evade people or things that lead us to sins immediately. We know that many people (young and old) who were with us during this Holy Season last year are no more. So please do not continue to be a fool anymore... This is your day .... and this is your time. If you cannot get rid of certain bad habits that lead to sins, don't worry. There is an easy short-cut which I myself tested and succeeded easily...very easily. Resolve firmly and and make a promise (covenant) with the Holy Mother of Lord Jesus that you will Love God and Honour the Blessed Mother and Pray the Holy Rosary without fail till death. Start Praying Holy Rosary Prayers and see the miracles that happen in your life. The Holy Mother Who is full of God's Grace will grant you necessary Grace and strength for living in this dark world keeping eyes on Lord Jesus and a desire to become a Saint...!
Please watch the below video which shows the depth of the LOVE of JESUS CHRIST as many times as possible.
ഇത് കണ്ടിട്ട് ഉരുകാത്ത ഏതു ഹൃദയമാണുള്ളത്? ഈ കൂട്ടത്തിൽ നമ്മൾ എവിടെയാണെന്ന് (നമ്മുടെ പാത്രം ഏതാണെന്നു) സൂക്ഷിച്ചു നോക്കി കണ്ടുപിടിക്കുക.
