EMPTY HANDED   "Empty handed" is an expression that I heard from a man who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and knew he was going to die. We undoubtedly see things better when in a life or death situation, and value what is truly relevant and important in life. The liturgical season of Lent is a very important time in our life as a Church. Many of us take it very seriously and try to live it intently. We use Lent to get closer to God. The Old Testament says: No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you". (Deuteronomy 16:16). This passage should make us reflect on the importance of our deeds. Everything we do in our life should be aimed at filling our hands with good deeds. Thus, we should use this time of spiritual commitment to make a sacrifice and try to avoid distractions by focusing deeper on the Lord in an attempt to understand the divine behavior better and turn ourselves into more loving individuals in this world, our work and homes. This is something we must do not only during Lent and Easter, when we remember Jesus' extreme sacrifice for the love of us, but continuously during all the days our lives. Jesus, an example of strength before suffering Besides his last words, said from the Cross, Jesus left his teachings on how to live and face life pains and suffering. It is precisely during Lent that we can clearly understand Jesus' mission as a messenger of the Father. By living a life of service, Jesus showed us that life must be appreciated, cherished and lived relentlessly, and that we must understand that we may only be free if we continue to believe firmly in the promises of our Lord when we face storms and turmoil in our lives. Jesus is about everything: life, health, happiness, suffering, death and resurrection. At the end of it all, Jesus defeats death itself by opening the path of eternal life and showing us that this life may be lived in hope. Now I will explain to you in an almost poetic way my experience with Juan, the person I mentioned at the beginning of this letter, when I visited him at the hospital. My experience with Juan breathed life into my service in a big way, something I have discussed many times, namely it showed me how to use the gift of life.   EMPTY HANDED I met him at a hospital. His name was Juan. The doctors gave him the news: "Juan, you will die in a few weeks." His eyes showed deep sorrow, but not for the fear of death, that was quickly approaching his door. Juan was not sad for the things that he will leave behind, or the lack of faith in God - for Juan was a believer. It was at the hospital…