40 Days of Lent: Day 8
31 Mar 2023 | Office for Mission and Identity (OMI)
40 Days of Lent: Day 8
Every person wants to have a good reputation. We work hard to build our careers. We aim for accomplishments. We are careful not to tarnish our name. That is why when embarrassing things happen to us or when we do anything that is disreputable, it may be difficult to get over it. We can carry it with us as heavy emotional baggage, not able to fully forgive ourself or others, never totally moving on from the embarrassment.
And as it turns out, nobody can be spared from such moments because we and life are not perfect. In fact, even the God who became one of us went through this human experience. Perhaps a significant thing to take note of, though, is that he never did anything to destroy his reputation. He did nothing wrong. He simply lived up to his mission and name of being our savior and his Father’s son.
Lent and Holy Week are invitations to self-awareness. But not just awareness of our self but awareness of the self that is wounded yet loved by God. Today, can you share with Jesus your woundedness from being embarrassed for small or big reasons? At the same time, can you ask him about his own experience of having been embarrassed – stripped off his clothes, mocked and taunted with shameful names, falsely accused of crimes to the point of being convicted to death? Have this conversation with Christ. Listen to yourself and to him. Open your heart to the truth that you are imperfect but perfectly loved by him who suffered unjust and undeserved embarrassment for your sake.
40 Araw ng Kuwaresma: Ika-8 Araw
Lahat ay naghahangad ng karangalan. Nagsusumikap tayong itaguyod ang sarili sa ating larangan. Nais nating magtagumpay. Iniiwasan nating masira ang ating pangalan. Kung kaya kapag may nangyaring kahiya-hiya o may nagawang sakdal hamak, napakahirap malampasan ito. Iniinda natin ito sa kalooban, pinarurusahan ang sarili o kapwa, at paulit-ulit na kinakatkat na tila hindi makawala sa lagay na ito.
At walang sinuman ang hindi nakararanas nito sapagkat walang lubos na dalisay sa atin. Katunayan, dumaan nga rin sa ganitong karanasn maging ang Diyos na nagkatawang tao. Ngunit mahalagang malamang hindi siya kailanman kumilos upang dungisan ang kanyang dangal. Wala siyang ginawang mali. Isinabuhay lamang niya ang kanyang misyon at pangalan bilang tagapagligtas natin at anak ng kanyang Ama.
Paanyaya sa pagmamalay sa sarili ang Kuwaresma at Mahal na Araw. Subalit hindi lamang ito pagmamalay sa sarili kung hindi pagmamalay sa sariling sugatan ngunit iniibig ng Diyos. Ngayong araw, maaari mo bang ibahagi kay Hesus ang iyong pagkakasugat mula sa maliliit o malalaking kahihiyan? Dagdag dito, maaari mo rin ba siyang tanungin sa kanyang sariling karanasan ng pagkapahiya – nahubdan ng damit, kinutya at tinuya ng mga kahiya-hiyang pangalan, pinagbintangan ng mga maling krimen hanggang sa mahatulan ng kamatayan? Makipag-usap kay Kristo. Makinig sa sarili at sa kanya. Buksan ang puso sa katotohanang hindi ka dalisay subalit iniibig ka niya nang buong ganap, at nagdusa siya sa kawalang katarungan at hindi marapat na kahihiyan para sa iyong kapakanan.
#ateneoishome #aihfortydaysoflent #aihday8oflent
Recent News
You may also like these articles
QS Subject Rankings 2026: Ateneo in top 100 for theology; ranked in 7 subject areas
Ateneo de Manila University is among the top institutions in seven subject areas, and among the top 100 for theological and religious studies, according to
AJHS sponsors annual Way of the Cross gathering
Sponsored by the Ateneo de Manila Junior High School, the annual University Way of the Cross (Stations of the Cross) was held on the afternoon
Another First: AGS girls receive their First Holy Eucharist
Ateneo de Manila Grade School’s Grade 2 students received their First Holy Communion on 7 and 14 February 2026 at the Church of the Gesù
An encounter with faith: Grade 6 Ateneans "Meet the Jesuits"
The following reflections were written by two Grade 6 students who participated in the recent “Meet the Jesuits” activity. In their personal accounts, they share
What really matters
On 27 January 2026, the Ateneo de Manila Senior High School commemorated its patron saint, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, in a special way. Although his feast
University Way of the Cross 2026 (Memo U2526-060)
(Memo U2526-060)All members of the community (students, faculty, professionals, staff, administrators, parents, and alumni) are invited to participate in the University Way of the Cross on Friday, 27 February 2026, at the Loyola Heights Campus.