Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with a deity, an object of worship, or a spiritual entity through deliberate communication.
Penance is repentance of sins as well as the proper name of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christian, and Anglican Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation/Confession. It also plays a part in non-sacramental confession among Lutherans and other Protestants.
Repentance is a theological term that describes a stage in Christian salvation where the believer turns away from sin. As a distinct stage in the ordo salutis its position is disputed, with some theological traditions arguing it occurs prior to faith and the Reformed theological tradition arguing it occurs after faith. In Roman Catholic theology repentance is a secondary part of the larger theological concept of penance. Generally in the Old Testament the term 'repentance' comes from the Hebrew word group that means "turn away from." Sometimes this word group is employed to request a turning from sinful activity (Jeremiah 8:6). In the New Testament the metanoeo word group can mean remorse but is generally translated as a turning away from sin (Matthew 3:2). Theologically 'repentance', the turning away from sin is linked to a corresponding turn to faith in God.
Alms or almsgiving is a religious rite which, in general, involves giving materially to another as an act of religious virtue. It exists in a number of religions and regions. In Christianity, the giving of 'alms' is an act of charity toward those less fortunate.
Asceticism describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures, often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals. Many religious traditions include practices that involve restraint with respect to actions of body, speech, and mind. The founders and earliest practitioners of these religions lived extremely austere lifestyles, refraining from sensual pleasures and the accumulation of material wealth. They practiced asceticism not as a rejection of the enjoyment of life, or because the practices themselves are virtuous, but as an aid in the pursuit of salvation or liberation.
Whatever we endure, there is gain; in sacrifice, discipline, reverence, or any act worthy of HIM, there IS GAIN! Some view this time as a bothersome, weighty, even stressful, yet, there is great advantage to this time of preparation of THE LORD! We become stronger, more understanding, more content with what we have, and so on! Attitude makes all the difference in anything we do, but especially in HONOURING THE LORD, and our efforts ARE measured BY the sincerity in which they are performed! CHRIST JESUS endured, persevered, was taunted, ridiculed, scorned, rebuked, scourged, beaten, and nailed to a cross, because HE LOVES US, so, for us to suffer for but a while, is the least we can do to increase our knowledge, understanding, and overall relationship with HIM!!!
It is all about LOVE, all about LOVE of HIM who faultlessly, first LOVED us...
No comments:
Post a Comment