mellomouse* » Lent

He died for you and I.

mellomouse — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:25:08 +0000

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified Him.
Mark 15:25

From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
Matthew 27:45

From 9am – 3pm, He was nailed to the cross with excruciating pain — from the earlier scourging and now the 3 nails — unimaginable by human endurance.

If it was me, could I have endured it? Could you?

With all this happening, His mother stood witnessing. Indeed a sword has pierced her own soul too [Luke 2:35].

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.
Luke 23:46

“It is finished.” Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
John 19:30

I am going for the 3pm Mass later, and again I want to be early. The sky then will be overcast as it always does, maybe or maybe not the rain will pour causing a massive traffic. But that’s not what is significant.

I hope when you hear the rumbling thunder later — for just one minute — you will think of Him.

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one hour was all He asked.

mellomouse — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:19:44 +0000

Earlier tonight the Church of St Francis Xavier was overflow with her faithfuls. Today we come together as one body of Christ to commemorate our Lord’s Last Supper before His Passion tomorrow.

Maundy Thursday is celebrated — namely the Catholic Church — everywhere to remind us that, it is tonight that Jesus instituted the Eucharist by breaking bread and offering wine as His body and blood. The Priesthood was also born tonight, with Simon being the very first.

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church –”

Matthew 16:18

The Mass today is slightly longer than the ones on Sundays. As I promised in the post below, I made it Early — three hours exact — and took opportunity to read the Gospel in the peaceful vicinity.

At 9.58pm, the congregation walked out of the church in silent reverence as we made way for the Solemn Adoration. As I made a beeline to my car, these words echoed in my head as though it was flesh.

“Could you not stay awake with Me one hour?”

Matthew 26:40
Mark 14:37

I would be so guilty, because I know if I were present then — and even now — I would have fallen asleep as well. Ashamed as always, my answer would have been No *sobs*

The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41
Mark 14:38

But tonight Lord, I will keep awake for You…

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an End that begins a Victory.

mellomouse — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:31:04 +0000

Lent is finally coming to an end in 3 days. How swiftly 40 days had come, and soon gone like a thief in the night. This year however, Lent for me was slower than before because of my stumbles.

Tomorrow we celebrate the Lord’s Last Supper. During this simple Passover meal, Jesus took a basin of water and washed the feet of His disciples — even the one that betrayed Him. If given, could I wash the feet of others? Let alone the one that will be stained with my blood. Would you, me?

The Bible speaks to us differently every time we read it. Ashamed, the last time I read the Gospel was probably a few good years back, so I cannot really recall what did the last. But this time, I shall take it to heart. And truly, it breaks as much as it mends.

I look forward to being “Early” to Mass tomorrow *kiasuism alert* in hopes of getting a front seat to witness the washing of feet. For the past 5 years, no matter how early I thought I’ve reached, the church is always filled at the front. Making it difficult — with my height and everyone towering ahead — to have a good view of the humble act. Hopefully tomorrow I would be blessed *amen*

On the sidetrack, I’ve not put my foreign language effort to vain Yet. I’m still going strong and jotting notes as I listen to the lessons on my MuVo. Hopefully tomorrow I would be blessed *amen amen*

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Christmas comes 2nd after Easter, which begins with Lent.

He was tempted as we are.

mellomouse — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:56:52 +0000

I just had a steamy hot cup of Nescafé while watching the season finale of Lipstick Jungle — Offering up 2 of my favourite things: Failed

Two weeks ago, I had a heavenly Curry Wantan Noodle Soup with Steamed Chicken — Abstinence from Meat: Failed

Two days ago, I watched 4 episodes of Boys Before Flowers, catching up to KBS2 realtime airing — Offering up an Addiction: Failed

And earlier… I gigited the husband — An act of “passion”: Failed (- ___-||||)

There you have it — I have willingly BROKEN all of my Lent observations! *ashamed*

As I tried to find excuses for my lack of discipline, St Paul’s words came to mind.

¹⁵ For the high priest we have is not incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us, but has been put to the test in exactly the same way as ourselves, apart from sin.

Hebrew 4:15

Does it seems like I am making a drama over some petty creature comforts?

This is my confession. I hope I don’t appear to be manipulating Scripture to console myself, but reminding that it is by failing these simple act of faith that we would also fail the bigger challenges.

Therefore by saying this, I am pressing the Restart button.

Although some things broken cannot be mended, but I believe that if we mean it enough, His arms are forever outstretched from |– — – — – — this end to this end — – — – — –|

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putting a halt to my addictions.

mellomouse — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Besides my month long addiction for coffee – Nescafé to be exact – I have also been doing drama marathons in front of this screen. I don’t think anyone could yank me away from the long list of soaps I’ve been so diligently feeding on day in day out.

What’s on my Realplayer:

1. Grey’s Anatomy – Season 5 episode 16
2. Private Practice – Season 2 episode 16
3. Gossip Girl – Season 2 episode 17
4. Lipstick Jungle – Season 2 episode 11
5. House – Season 5 episode 1
6. How I Met Your Mother – Season 4 episode 15
7. Boys Before Flower (Korean) – episode 15
8. Full House (Korean) – finished yesterday
9. Hana Yori Dango (Japanese) – finished last week

Plus a long list of movies I’ve missed

With today being Ash Wednesday, I am calling quits to these creaturely addictions of mine with firm determination. (Psstt… I’ll continue after Lent…kekeke)

To put it in short, I will be away from this screen as much as I can for the next 40 days so I don’t have any excuse to fail. That means, this would be my last post until April.

Until then, have a blessed Lent and see you at Easter!

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Christmas comes 2nd after Easter, which begins with Lent.

mellomouse — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 06:26:00 +0000

The day after tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of Lent – a liturgical season that consists of forty-day plus six Sundays before Easter – that prepares us through fasting, prayer, penitence, offerings and self denial towards the pinnacle celebration of Christ’s Passion and His conquer over death through the resurrection.

Where is it in Scripture?

Matthew 4:1-2 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be put to the test by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was hungry.

Mark 1:12-13 And at once the Spirit drove him into the desert and he remained there for forty days, and was put to the test by Satan.

Luke 4:1-2 Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert, for forty days being put to the test by the devil. During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry.

Ash Wednesday fell on the CNY week last year. Regretfully the husband and I missed Mass while in Taiping. This year, I will fulfill my obligations and have my forehead marked with the sign of the cross with the ashes of last year’s palm.

Besides abstaining from meat, it has been a ritual for me to offer up a favourite during Lent. I have been addicted to coffee the past 2 months and downing at least 2 cuppa a day. So that will be my favourite slash off for this year, and of course, a few other observations as well. Last year I stayed off the computer for 40 days, and the year before was TV.

Do you observe Lent? What would your offerings be?

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an End that begins a Victory.
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do this in memory of me/Jesus/.

mellomouse — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:12:00 +0000

it’s definitely a shocker! *gasp* all this while i thought i created the name mellomouse. i did a google search a few minutes ago – out of curiousity – and found others who also uses this exact pseudonym *cry buckets* how could it be?!? ok ok, so i am not that original after all *shrugs*

today is holy thursday – the day Jesus and His twelve disciples had the last supper, the washing of feet, the breaking of bread and the Betrayal. the mass tonight and tomorrow will be longer than the usual, as the congregation – here and around the world – recapture the account of the entire episode.

“If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” John 13:14-15

what was on Jesus’ mind this night two thousand years ago? the Bible says He felt fear. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

although Jesus is divine, He is nothing less of a human. He feels what we feel: hunger, sadness, fear, love, pain, happiness etc. He was everything that we are, but more. His trust in God and love for us gave Him strength to fulfill the promise of salvation. “He gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him.” Isaiah 53:10

this sunday we will once again celebrate His victory over death, but most of all: God’s love for us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” John 3:16

a blessed Easter to everyone. peace be with you!

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faith is believing without seeing.

mellomouse — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 03:04:00 +0000

this sunday will mark the end of chinese new year. and down goes february as well. the year is passing by fairly fast, which means soon i would be moving house and later busy preparing for the big day

it is already five days into lent now – and thirty-five days more to go. this lent i’ve decided to sacrifice the dumb box *boo hoo hoo* so i would be missing my final episodes of sonria pasta, heroes, american idol, grey’s anatomy, desperate housewives, etceteras etceteras. besides this earthly vice, i’m also offering up my awful quick temper, impatience and witty sarcasms. so far i know i’ve done poorly. that’s why it is so much more important to pray more than anything during this difficult time of lent.

here are two very inspiring verses from the book of ephesians that called out to me last thursday.

“get rid of all bitterness, passion and anger. no more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. instead, be kind and tender hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ”
Ephesians 4:31-32

“at all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the evil one”
Ephesians 6:16

the second verse is such a comforting good news. so let’s have faith and pray. may the Lord God protect us all during this lenten season and shower us with His grace to overcome all temptations to sin against Him. amen

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