What lesson has this Lenten season taught you?

In our busy, fast-paced world, Lent stabilizes us by giving us the opportunity to slow down, pray more deeply and sincerely, and by praying for and forgiving even those who have hurt or betrayed us, reflecting on the life of our Lord by reading the Bible, knowing the lessons we can learn from the life of our Savior Jesus Christ, and hopefully, even after the Lenten season is over, continue to live as true Christians should.

Boo Chanco, business columnist

Lent is about how much God loves us, that He sacrificed his only Son so we may again be worthy to be in His presence. In that context, nothing in our earthly experience compares. We can do no less but to accept this gift of redemption by surrendering our lives to the Lord, trusting Him, obeying Him as prescribed in the Scriptures. It’s not always easy to do but we can always call on Him to make Himself felt strongly in our lives and our burdens will be easier to bear. 

Paula Bondoc, executive director, CSFI

The Lenten period is a religious holiday that coincides with the time we can be together as a family because the kids are out of school. While we observe Lent together, we become very aware of the blessings that God has showered on us — family, life, friends, love and our Christian faith. It is a chance to teach our kids to be thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice and for all the blessings that God has showered on us as a family. Bernie Concepcion, businessman. The more deeply I ponder the ugly story of my sin, the more the mercy of God shines forth with indescribable beauty. I can only bow down in adoration, and treasure this mystery in my heart. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption. Dominus est!

Rep. Victoria Sy Alvarado, 1st district, Bulacan

Shalom! Forgiveness and love for our enemies! For me this is a simple offering I can offer to our Savior who gave His life to save mankind from eternal damnation. God our Father is so good that He asked His only begotten son to suffer and die on the cross to bring back the good relationship of God and men. In all my personal life I can attest to the goodness and love of God. He allowed my husband and I to experience persecution, false accusations to be published in newspapers and tabloids to the point that our political detractors were spending money and using people to deliver door-to-door the news for their own interest (maybe thinking that our people would favor them and believe those issues). I received a text message from a friend, saying read Psalm 118. Verse 7 says, “The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.” Verse 8 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

Ana Kalaw, marketing manager

Fasting is only a small part of Lent. I have learned that depriving yourself of a particular food or habit is pointless if you don’t carry kindness or humility in your heart, not just during the Lenten season but the whole year round. 

Christopher Yatco, businessman

As a traditional Catholic, the invaluable lesson that strongly resonates in me every Lent is the importance of giving unconditional love and the great things it can do to humanity and it’s best exemplified when Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins.  

Ma. Cielo Villaluna, external communications head, Philippine Airlines, former newscaster, RPN-9

The Lenten season teaches us the importance of deeply reflecting on Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. It is a spiritual reflection through which we appreciate and take into heart our Lord’s humility, integrity, and triumph. This leads us to commune with Him in prayer, make sacrifices, in a most human way, and express gratitude for what He has done for all mankind.

Jared Carlo Echevarria, media relations officer, Office of the Secretary/Department of Energy

This Lenten season taught me the value of my family, my friends and my special devotion to God. It also gave me an opportunity to explore different ways I can share my talents with others in celebration of God’s unending grace. I learned that this season is not reserved for sorrow and sadness, but a time of great joy for our Lord died for our sins and saved us from eternal affliction. Humility and charity are two of the most important words for this season. To be humble enough to retrace your becoming a Christian, and charitable enough to face tomorrow with the great promise of Christ’s redemption. 

Pierra Calasanz-Labrador, freelance writer/editor and blogs at www.thehappylab.com.ph

I hate to admit it, but I can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind that sometimes I forget what’s truly important, and fail to put God first in my life. The Lenten season reminds me to pause and reflect on Christ’s sacrifice, what it truly means to be a good Christian, and then attempt (once again) to put that into practice.