EMHC - SH Chaplaincy. Jagobiao Mandaue

24/02/2026

THE LORD’S PRAYER IS NOT JUST WORDS TO MEMORIZE | “Today, Jesus teaches us a prayer we know by heart—the Lord’s Prayer. Because it is so familiar, we often recite it without realizing that it is also a Lenten program for conversion.

If we listen carefully, the Lord’s Prayer gives us three very concrete challenges for Lent.

1. Trust God as Father

We begin with: “Our Father.”

The first challenge of Lent is trust.

Lent is not only about discipline or sacrifice. It is about learning to trust God again—especially when life feels uncertain.

Many of our worries come from trying to control everything: our future, our security, even other people.

When we say “Our Father,” we are letting go and saying: “Lord, I trust You. You know my life.”

Lenten challenge:
Let go of one fear or anxiety you have been carrying and entrust it to God in prayer.

2. Live One Day at a Time with God

We pray: “Give us today our daily bread.”

Notice the word today.

Lent invites us to simplicity—to depend on God one day at a time, not to be consumed by tomorrow’s worries or endless desires.

This prayer challenges our greed, our anxiety, and our constant need for more.

Lenten challenge:
Practice contentment. Be grateful for what you have today and resist unnecessary excess.

3. Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven

Then we pray: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

This is the hardest part of the prayer—and the heart of Lent.

We cannot ask God for mercy while refusing mercy to others.

Sometimes the real fasting of Lent is not from food, but from anger, resentment, and bitterness.

Lenten challenge:
Ask yourself: Whom do I need to forgive?
And take one step—small but sincere—toward forgiveness.

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Final Thoughts

The Lord’s Prayer is not just words to memorize. It is a path for Lent:
• Trust God as Father
• Live simply, one day at a time
• Choose forgiveness over resentment

If we live these three challenges, then Lent will not just change our routines—it will change our hearts.”

— Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy
Maymay sa Magbalantay | 24 February 2026

24/02/2026

22/02/2026

REMEMBER YOUR TRUE IDENTITY | “On the First Sunday of Lent, the readings remind us of two very important truths:

First, temptation wins when we forget who we are.
Second, Jesus overcomes temptation because He never forgets who He is.

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1. Temptation Begins When We Forget Who We Are

In the first reading, Adam and Eve had everything. They were created by God, loved by God, and cared for by God. They were already complete.

But the devil did not begin by offering them something evil. He began by planting doubt.

“Did God really say…?”
“Is God really good?”
“Is God really taking care of you?”

That small doubt was enough.

Once they doubted God’s love, Adam and Eve also doubted their own worth. And once they forgot who they were, they reached for something that was not meant for them.

This is exactly how temptation works in real life.

Most sins do not begin with desire. They begin with forgetfulness.

We forget that we are loved—so we look for love in the wrong places.
We forget that we are enough—so we try to prove ourselves through money, status, or power.
We forget that God is with us—so we take shortcuts, compromise values, and justify dishonesty.

Why does corruption happen?
Often because people feel they are nothing unless they take more.

Why do families break apart?
Often because someone forgets they are already loved and starts looking elsewhere.

Why do people drown in addictions, pleasures, and endless distractions?
Often because deep inside, they feel empty—and they forget that God already fills them.

Most of the time, we do not sin because we are evil, but because we forget who we are.

That is why Lent is not mainly about giving up rice, coffee, or social media. Lent is about remembering our true identity.

This Lent, God gently tells us again:
“You are my child.
I love you.
You are already enough.”

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2. Jesus Overcomes Temptation Because He Knows He Is God’s Beloved Son

In the Gospel, Jesus is tempted immediately after His baptism. At that baptism, the Father clearly said: “You are my beloved Son.”

And notice how the devil begins: “If you are the Son of God…”

The devil attacks Jesus at the level of identity.

“If you are hungry, prove it.”
“If you are powerful, show it.”
“If you are important, impress everyone.”

But Jesus refuses to play that game.

He does not turn stones into bread. He does not jump from the temple to gain attention. He does not choose power over obedience. Why?

Because Jesus does not need to prove anything. He knows who He is. He trusts the Father completely. That is the secret of His strength.

Jesus defeats temptation not by force, but by clarity of identity.

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3. Applying This to Our Daily Lives

This is very practical.

When you are tempted to lie, cheat, or take what is not yours—pause and remember: “I am a child of God. I do not need this to be worthy.”

When you feel pressured to compete, compare, or prove yourself—pause and remember: “I am already loved. I do not need to impress.”

When you feel discouraged, tired, or tempted to give up—pause and remember: “God has not abandoned me. He is with me in this desert.”

When you are tempted to hurt others with words, anger, or bitterness—pause and remember: “I am a beloved child of God, called to love, not to destroy.”

Lent invites us to slow down, be silent, and listen again to God’s voice—
not the voice of fear,
not the voice of comparison,
not the voice of temptation,
but the voice that says: “You are mine.”

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Final Words

Temptation becomes strong when identity becomes weak. But temptation loses its power when identity is clear.

Lent is a journey back—not to perfection, but back to our true selves as beloved children of God.

If we remember who we are, we will remember how to live.”

— Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy
Maymay sa Magbalantay | 22 February 2026

22/02/2026

PRAYER BOOKLETS FOR USE DURING STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Printed copies for use during the Stations of the Cross will be available for those who wish to join every Friday.

For those who prefer to use their mobile phones, you may DOWNLOAD the PNG or PDF version through the provided Google Drive link posted in the COMMENTS SECTION.

22/02/2026

22/02/2026

Please be guided on the schedule. 😇

𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗬 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | As we walk through the sacred days of Lent and Holy Week 2026, let us open our hearts to reflection, renewal, and grace.

19/02/2026

Let's keep this in mind.😇

Pope proposes Lenten ‘fast’ from hurtful words

Click the link in the comments for the full story.

19/02/2026

In Photos: EMHCs assisting in the backgroud during the Ash Wednesday Mass. After the Holy Mass, some members are assigned to cater our mission areas.

19/02/2026

14/02/2026

True Love🥰