Dear brethren, today is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent, 40 days of prayer, fasting, and alms giving. We mark ourselves with ashes to remind us that we are nothing but dust and therefore, there is no need of doing what displeases us and our neighbours, but only to repent, believe in the gospel, do good and shun evil.
Lent is a period on metanoia, conversion and leaving our old ways, and then, to focus on the one who went through temptation while He was in the desert, imitate Him and draw inspiration from him to face each and every temptation. This metanoia is not only for Catholic Christians but also for the conversion of the whole humanity especially in the contemporary world where secularism marked by its evil acts and thoughts has taken a lead. Lent prepares us to receive the light of the risen Christ in our hearts and mind, and is a journey towards making our bodies temples of the Holy Spirit.
Lenten Period is marked by three spiritual exercises, which we, as Christians and indeed everyone, must take into consideration and practice them in our lives.
Prayer. Prayer establishes our vertical relationship with God, helps us to enter into deep relationship with God, which will also help in our horizontal relationships with one another. Pray unceasingly that the devil will not overtake us. Remember that, when we pray, we should not be like hypocrites who pray in synagogues and streets, using many empty words to show off, but with contrite and humbled hearts, let us come into the presence of the Lord, in our aloneness, and God will surely listen to our Prayers.
Alms Giving. This establishes our relationship with our neighbors and the whole world. Inspired by love of God and neighbour, the church invites us to in solidarity with the anawim of God, to make them feel the love of God through us. During this lent, let everyone remember to give something as alms giving. Remember that, when we give alms, let us not blow a trumpet, or give as a sign of showing off, but as Jesus tells us, let our left hands not know what our right hands are doing.
Fasting. This establishes a relationship with ourselves. Fasting makes come back to inner selves, to reflect on what is going on in our lives, and detach from the earthly pleasures, like food, drinks, and things we do for our pleasure. This also enables us to reflect on what's happening in our world and in turn go out to help with that which we have denied ourselves by fasting. The Lord invites us in the first reading to return to him with fasting, to mend our hearts not our garments, and He, full of kindness and compassion, will relent his punishment and forgive us. Remember that when we fast, we should not look gloomy like hypocrites who want to show by appearance that they are fasting, let it be a spiritual exercise, which brings us near to God.
All these are not only for Christians, but for everyone who works for the greater glory of God and for the better world of justice, peace and harmony. “If today, you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
Let us then take up these three aspects and above all, repentance, forgiving others, and praying for strength to conquer all the temptations in our lives. Let us pray that God may help us to imitate his Son in this Lenten period and that our observance of lent may bring us to eternal life as well as provide for whatever we need for this life. Amen
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