At the 4:00pm Mass last Saturday, we held the first scrutiny to our Catechumens. I told them that they are like Jesus who thirsts for water...not just for the element of water that quenches our thirst, but for the faith (Baptism) and the Holy Spirit who guarantees eternal life. And in the process, they gradually discover Jesus as the ordinary man, the prophet, the Messiah and the Savior of the world. And the secret is just they have to be attentive and be focused on Jesus, especially on his words - the words of Jesus that lead to the truth. Like the Samaritan woman, who was able to proclaim Jesus as the Savior of the world to her people.

It is interesting to note that the word "Lent" comes from the old English term "Lencten" which means springtime. Indeed, Lent is the time of spiritual renewal, a kind of spiritual "springtime" wherein we try our best to allow our souls and spirits to bring forth shoots of hope, vigor, purpose and holiness. Let us allow Christ to transfigure us into a new man or person who understand that it is necessary for us to undergo suffering and pain in order to transverse into life.

One of the ways to keep the spirit of Lent is to gaze at Jesus, to listen to his words, and to follow his ways. Last Sunday, he taught us how to overcome our temptations by not giving in to human desires and wants, but focusing on the Word of God. Allowing it to convict us. By avoiding the occasion of sin, and avoiding "short-cuts" devoid of pain and suffering. And by totally being dependent on God, asking the Holy Spirit to help us overcome our temptations and sins.

Every Ash Wednesday we start the holy season of Lent, that is, a 40 day period of preparation for the Paschal Mystery of Christ. Paschal Mystery refers to his passion, death, resurrection and glorification which wrought our salvation. Why Ash Wednesday? Because we reminded of our origin, that is, we were created by God through the "dust". "Remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return."

In order for us to understand the meaning of the Gospel account, it is imperative that we have to understand the context where Jesus is coming from, most especially in the mind of the writer, the evangelist Matthew. Matthew would like to present to his audience, that is, his community that his Gospel is the "the Gospel of fulfillment." Jesus is the Son of God who fulfills the Law and the Prophets. So, for Matthew, the whole of Matthew chapter 5-8 is considered to be the summary of the teachings of Jesus, which begins with the Beatitudes.

Fr. Guido and I are living together at the parish rectory for more than a month. We cook our food together especially breakfast, eat our meals together, not to mention, and pray together. We are one small community...partners in doing God's work. I must admit that Fr. Guido is a better cook than me. In cooking, we often use salt and pepper. We know that salt is an important ingredient in cooking for it adds flavor.

The Beatitudes (Mt 5:1-12) serve as the foundation or the basis of all the teachings of Jesus. He now acts as the "New Moses" who teaches not only his disciples, but also the crowds (all people) who gather around him. Christ's profound wisdom is contained in the beatitudes. It is considered to be the road map for people who search for happiness and fulfillment in life. It is likewise considered to be the "Magna Carta" of Christianity.