Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings to all in the ever loving Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

Many things are done in our day-to-day life without realizing why it is done. But those who do, either fail to enjoy doing it or in acknowledging the benefit that comes through it. Some practices loses significance because people reach the point of ignorance. Some people continue the practices because that’s what everyone does and there are also those who continue to do it because they think if they don’t, others will consider them indifferent

. A familiar story goes like this. A priest had a brown cat which always was by his side. Whenever he went into the Church for conducting the services the cat, too, would go in with him. That was tiresome, so one day he worked out a plan. Every Sunday, before he went in for the Worship Services, he would keep the cat tied under a tree near the Church . When he died the people ensured that the cat was tied every Sunday before the service in the very same place. But finally when the cat died, the congregation was in a fix. They were so used to the cat being under the tree every Sunday that they needed a cat of the same colour and size to take the place of the old cat. They finally managed to get one that fitted the bill and kept it tied under the same old tree near the Church.

This is the way many old practices are followed.

During Lenten days some people observe the fast. Many abstain from non vegetarian and rich dishes so to symbolize the simplicity of life. Some spend time studying God’s Word and in meditation and prayer. The Church too organizes prayer meetings and time for meditation. Themain intention of this discipline is to have a life focussed on God and one’s own self so to reorganize one’s own life with God’s help and imbibe a true sense of humility and repentance. This leads one to find the renewal that comes through these actions, so as to live more in Godliness and Christ likeness.

Today, however, the reality is that many continue these practices because others do them or because they feel compelled to do them. Why one does it is not thought out. As a result, the outcome of these observances does not find a place in one’s own life. It provides only a sort of self satisfaction and the person continues as ever before without attaining any renewal in life. Thereby society fails to receive the goodness.

Many of the practices and observances continue as before. The prayer that is said, the liturgy that is used and the religious observances. The core values of these are lost. The ones who do it fail to do it with understanding and realizing its worth. God wants His Children do what they do with understanding.

This will bring life to what is done and thereby the practitioner and others enjoy the benefits. Ultimately God will be pleased and His Name will be glorified. It is always appropriate on one’s part to look into the observances and practices and take steps to do it with understanding. As we observe Lent and await the Holy Week, let me wish and request everyone to do carry out the observances of the past with the understanding of its significance and the importance of the practices. This will cause a transformation in our lives and in our doings.

Let me wish you all a blessed observance of Holy Week and a Happy Easter.

With prayerful regards,
T.I.James Achen