LeI1teI1 LessoI1s .
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by Renee C. Punzal, CYA National Moderator
~t was Ash Wednesday. The teaching in the prayer meeting was on how to more meaningfully observe the Lenten season. The speaker suggested that we make a personal Lenten program which would give us more time for prayer, receiving the sacraments, meditation on Jesus' sacrifice and victory, penance, fasting, and almsgiving.
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A few Lenten practices With my zeal and youthful . enthusiasm, I included every- have impressed deep lessons on thing that was recommended as my heart For instance, I gave up part of my personal observance all food condiments in order to of the season. Sticking to my list forego the pleasure of good food. was not always easy, and there Although that was intended to express a desire for simplicity, were occasions when I would forget about it. I won't run the Lord revealed one thing more through my whole list with you, - that I was a strong-willed perbut let me just say that that Lent son. Yes,my willfulness was exbecame a very memorable season pressed even through ketchup indeed! C-ontinued on page 2
BACK INTO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH by Reymund Simbulan,
CYA-Polytechnic
''You Catholics are worshipping idols and false gods!" I was a "born-again Christian" then, and I would accost numerous Catholics with those words. In fact, I enjoyed doing that very much. For five years, I was an active member ofa born-again Christian group. It all started when I was in Grade 3 when a classmate invited me to attend Sunday school in the church she was part of. I liked the Bible class and the kind way they treated us. From then on, I continued attending different Christian fellowships. Although my family was very Catholic, I stopped joining them for Sunday mass. By the time I was in high school, I was very much into the born-again type of Christianity.
University of the Philippines
Young as I was, I became quite good in debating; anything that Catholics did, I was against it! There was a Catholic catechist In our school. Eve r y time this man w
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preach, I would argue with him. He was amazed that I sounded like a professional debater although I was only in second year high school. One day he asked me, "Are you a born-again Christian from birth?" I said no. He then challenged me,"So, you were just converted. Continued on page 2
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