Dear friends, it’s Lent time again! This season is a special period. Lent is a time for both individual and community repentance. It is a time for special self-control, a time of self denial and mortification.
The clarion call of this season is: “Return to me with all your heart- tear your hearts and not your garments” (Joel 2:12-18).
This season begins with the Ash Wednesday, the Ash on our heads should remind us that from dust we came and to dust we shall return. We should not receive the Ash on our foreheads and then rush into the society to continue our business as usual. This ritual should make significant meaning in our lives. It should put us spiritually in the mood for the Lenten season.
Mourning and mortality are the two dimensions that points to the significance of Ashes Cf. Job 2:8; Jonah 3:6; Jer 6:26 and Gen 2:7. And so Jesus warns that:
- We should be aware of practicing our piety before men in order to be praised by them.
- Beware of giving alms ostentatiously to be praised by men
- Beware of fasting in such a way that you look abnormal.
Dear friends, when you Fast, don’t fast like the hypocrites. When you pray don’t pray like the hypocrites and when you give alms, don’t give alms like the hypocrites. These three are essential factors for this season and as St Peter Chrysologus says: “What prayer asks, fasting knocks on the door and almsgiving obtain it.” Let us make good use of this season to reflect on our lives and our end. Remember, From dust you came and to dust you shall return.
I wish you a happy Lenten season.
Peace be with you.
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