Almsgiving

The three cornerstones of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The giving of alms is an ancient, worldwide spiritual practice of giving, materially, to the poor and needy. In a broader sense, almsgivng may be said to include the pouring out of self to include the broader definition of brotherhood, family and inclusiveness. Give, and give of your talents, and be of good cheer! Thank God for all my gifts and blessings, and trials and difficulties.

Householders & the homeless, in mutual dependence, both reach the true Dhamma. - Buddha

Total willingness to give is the wish-granting gem for fulfilling the hopes of wandering beings. It is the sharpest weapon to sever the knot of stinginess.It leads to bodhisattva conduct that enhances self-confidence and courage,And is the basis for universal proclamation of your fame and repute. Realizing this, the wise rely, in a healthy manner, on the outstanding path of(being ever-willing) to offer completely their bodies, possessions, and positive potentials. The ever-vigilant lama has practiced like that.If you too would seek liberation, Please cultivate yourself in the same way. - Lama Tsong Khapa

Christ Jesus in Matthew 25:45 (Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition)
Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.

Christ Jesus in Luke 11:40-42

40Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without, make also that which is within?
41But yet that which remaineth, give alms; and behold, all things are clean unto you.
42But woe to you, Pharisees, because you tithe mint and rue and every herb; and pass over judgment, and the charity of God. Now these things you ought to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Forgiveness

The main theme of Lent, and indeed of the message of Christ Himself, is forgiveness. The unity this points to is nothing less than an overwhelming complete cohesiveness of the heavens and the earth, of humanity and nature, a new Eden. For that which is one must needs be harmonious, it shall not split apart or argue disparate battles, lest it become schizophrenic. Which is what our current state of the world is. Forgiveness of offenses opens the door for a fresh and clean realization that all is indeed one, that all is indeed love.
DJY

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves. ~ Sidney and Suzanne Simon

The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself. ~ Confucious

Alicia Keys-Pray For Forgiveness




Alicia Keys - Pray For Forgiveness

Beautiful garden
Where have you gone?
Myself delusions are leaving me in the start
Taking for granted all the goodness that I found
Somewhere I lost hope
My control came crashing down

[chorus]:
And I pray for forgiveness
Look for the answers
'Cos it's hard for me to pretend
Look to my mother
Gone to the captain
Don't you see this state that I'm in
No one will notice
Nobody notices
'Cos it's me where it begins...
Lookin' for justice
Searchin' for answers...

Beautiful morning
Please don't wake me from my sleep
'Cos I need some comfort
To regain my sanity

I don't wanna feel this crazy
I don't wanna feel this parted
Shattered in a million pieces
I'm so broken hearted

No one left to run
Nowhere left to go

[chorus]

I swear that every day
I feel like my mind is haunting me
I think of every little stupid mistake that has been made

This time I won't have the string to gather myself
I'm falling to pieces...

Clean Monday

The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, to be prayed morning and night throughout Lent.

O Lord and Master of my life, take away from me the spirit of laziness, meddling, ambition and gossip.

But give to me your servant, the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.

Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and faults, and not to judge my brothers or sisters, for you are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.

Monday, February 15, is “Kathara Deftera” (or in English, Clean Monday). It is the first day of Lent for Orthodox Christians worldwide. Actually, Lent itself, begins the preceding evening during Vespers (called Forgiveness Vespers). The theme for this beautiful service is “forgiveness” – when all present ask each other for forgiveness – starting Lent with a clean conscience and forgiveness.

Remodeling In Progress

Beginning today, it is Great and Holy Lent in the Eastern Church, and the blog is about to undergo a refashioning and a remodelling as I pass through the 40 day spiritual cycle. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are at the forefront and politics and the world must take a back seat and cool their heels while the Lenten Spring works its resurrection magic on us. So don't be surprised at a new look, and some late winter/early spring doings coming to The Rosemary Tree soon! A good Lent to you.

We support pro-democracy citizens of Iran! From the Christian Science Monitor: Iran braces for demonstration showdown: Will the future of Iran be changed?