Three Seasons in Our Hearts

Three Seasons in Our Hearts
by Pureza D. Lacuesta

Christianity is not confined to celebrating the three seasons of the year in the months precisely prescribed for them. Christianity is for all time.

Every Christian has to enshrine in his heart the image and virtues of Jesus, and make I his daily practice to implement the cycle of joy (Christmas time), love (Valentine’s Day) and repentance (Lenten season), as long as he lives.

It is not easy to celebrate these three feelings if we only think about them – philosophies and arguments may rise within us, time element and job responsibilities may pause as obstacles, but if we are determined to do it, we really can. “It is will power and determination, firm decision and instant implementation that can move us to be truly Christian.” I enclose this line with quotation marks because this is a borrowed line from the homily of Fr. Andy Esperancilla, two Sundays back.

Look! Isn’t sharing your food with a hungry child, a season of joy? Aren’t you happy if that hungry child smiles at you with gratitude in his eyes? Isn’t that December for you? Or, don’t you feel the joy of December if you cover the bare shoulders of an old, shivering woman and she presses your hand with gratitude? Tell me if that isn’t Christmas.

Then, when you hurry home and your mother is relieved of her kitchen work;
Like washing the clothes, or cleaning of the house, and she smiles at you gratefully, isn’t that love? If you lead an old woman across the street, visit a friend in the hospital, give hope to a desperate person or pray for people who have no time for prayer, isn’t that love, greater than the love shown on Valentine’s Day? Love can be given in many ways. The avenue is open every moment of the day.

It is night time, time to rest. The sky is dark. It marks the end of another day. Wouldn’t it be prudent to evaluate our day, and recall if we have hurt somebody through unkind words or actions or even in our thoughts? Couldn’t we ask forgiveness from the Lord, as we accept our failings? Make it your lent.

We are never sure when our final moment would come. We can never tell when our last footstep would stop. We can never tell when we will face the judgment seat. It is therefore an insurance of salvation if we live the three seasons everyday. It is not difficult if we are determined. It is not difficult if we aredecided.

Try to adjust your timetable to a Christian’s “Three-Season-Day” and you will feel more patient, helpful, sincere and friendly to God and our fellowmen. Make the three seasons your permanent vineyard, your voluntary assignment in the field of Christianity.