Something More

Lent

Dedicated to minangskiee

Ash Wednesday night...

Catherine's POV

"Oh...I understand now."

My mind is being cleared by the explanation of Anthony...that Imee has a special mission given by God to her...perhaps that's the reason why the bizarre moment of...umm...stigmata happened on her hands and feet.

"Imee, are you feeling better now?" Then I asked her about her condition.

"Yes, Catherine. Thank you for your concern." Imee smiled at me. "Oh, guys. I've been thinking, perhaps this is the right time to help me in right now in propagating the Good News to others."

"Propagating the Good News? Just like you? That's great!" Anthony lauded her. "I've always wanted to teach the people just like you!"

"Hehehe! That's why I'm teaching you! Anyway, could you open the Bible, please?"

I compiled by getting the thick book at the table and give it to Anthony...

"Today's Ash Wednesday, right?" Imee nods with Anthony's question. "Well...this is the gospel for today..."

Anthony whispers to her ear about the passage that serves as the Gospel for the day. I glanced at the Bible and saw the passage: it is from the Gospel according to St. Matthew.

"Okay. I got it." Imee smiles as it begins to interpret the Gospel for us...

"Our Gospel for today is simply what God directs us to do in this Lenten season. This is the forty day period where we'll think reflect on ourselves as we prepare in the commemoration of the passion and death of our Lord just to save humanity to save us from eternal damnation...."

Imee Therese's POV:

I continued my interpretation to the Gospel...

"There are four things that the Lord is telling us to do this Lent. First...when you're giving alms...or doing something compassionate to the poor and the needy, don't boast it to anyone nor tell it to anybody. It would just fill your heart with pride...and that's one sin that makes God hates you so much. But if you keep it secret in your heart about the deeds that you've done to them, the poor will recognize that it will be a miracle from God...praise God, and then God, in turn, will reward you with blessings.

"Also, don't show your pride when it comes in praying to God...that you really show to everyone that you're praying and asking God for blessings. It's easy for you to become a role model when it comes in praying...but will God make you righteous? The best way to pray to God is through simple private conversation with Him: closing your eyes and opening your heart and mind to the Lord. Remember, if you tell everything...people will judge you, but God won't."

"Finally, as we reflect and prepare ourselves to commemorate the passion and death of our Lord, you should simply prepare ourselves...from inside out. How would you able to feel the essence of Lent if what's inside your head is all about material and earthly things? Let us think about the words the priest will tell you once he puts a cross on our foreheads using the ashes of palms today: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. If you do good deads without raising your pride, you shall be rewarded according to the things the Lord has seen from heaven, that others didn't see."

"Woah! Cool!" Catherine, just like always, praised me. "You're so awesome everytime you teach the Gospel!"

"Hehehe! Thanks!" I humbly accepted her comments and giggled. "But that doesn't mean that's the end of it. You should start interpreting it by yourselves?"

"Huh? How, Imee?" Anthony asked me.

"Well, that's simple. Interpret it according to what you understand." I explained. "Let the Holy Spirit enter your mind and form the words that you will speak. Don't worry, long or short, your interpretations are always right, just believe in God."

Christian Anthony's POV:

Catherine stopped from talking...closed our eyes...and reflected. By the second...everything starts to clear now...relating it to my experiences from the past...and adopting it into the present...

"Imee...what the Gospel of the Lord is trying to tell us is...just do good deeds and don't boast about it because simply doing good things is one way of praising and thanking God from giving up His life to forgive all of us from all of our sins."

"Woah! That's great, Anthony! You're getting a hang of it! Hehehe!" Imee marveled at my simple explanation and giggled...and all eyes...are in Catherine.

"Umm...aah...Eeeh...can I think about it for a minute more?" Catherine blushed and asks a favor.

"Hehehe! Sure! Don't sweat it, sis!" Imee assures her. "Take your time, we'll wait for you..."

Catherine's POV:

This is the first time that I'm doing something else other than studying...and helping my parents to earn a living. Interpreting the Gospel for myself is no easy task for me...I didn't actually finished my studies and repeated the same grade all over again...sigh...I will just interpret by the way I know about it...

"What I know with this Gospel is that...whatever you do good for your brothers and sisters, you should keep it as a secret and never be proud on it...as if you are claiming that you're the most compassionate person in the world...for the Lord is really the most compassionate being...because of you have given opportunity to do good on your brothers and sisters..."

When I finished speaking my part, I just saw Anthony and Imee staring at me...

"Umm...guys, why are you all looking at me? Is the-there something wrong with my interpretation?"

"Oh! No, no. Of course, not!" Imee smiles at me. "It's just I'm surprised that you have done a pretty good job in your interpretation. Congratulations!"

Commended by my very own patron, a sweet smile is painted all over my face...and that's when I hugged Anthony and Imee tightly.

"Yaay! Thank you! Thank you so much, guys! Hehehe!" I giggled in so much joy. "I'll promise that I will do my best to improve more!"

"AAAAAAH!!!!!"

But then, suddenly...a loud scream was heard from outside our room. It took a few moments before a nun knocks, and eventually, opens the door.

"Hey! What's going on outside?" Anthony asks the nun with concern.

"Umm...we need your help. Somebody's...somebody's being possessed by a evil spirit!"