14/02/2024
Another chance to embrace🫂 the salvation of the cross✝️
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we are all welcome to the season that reminds us of the center of our Christianity and most especially as Catholics,as Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. Lent is a season in the Church’s liturgical calendar when the members are expected to be reflect on their sins, observe penance, sacrifice,give alms, intensify and enrich their prayer life.
It is called Ash Wednesday because of the ash each person is expected to be marked with on the forehead, to remind us of our sinfulness and mortality(For we are Dust and dust we shall return). Today’s Gospel is appropriate for Lenten observances. It touches on three important religious practices, namely:
ALMSGIVING (We are urged to have a Lenten box for savings,which we shall return on Holy Thursday to help the poor and less privilege but that doesn't stop us from helping when it's urgent as well)
FASTING (As our health permit)
PRAYER. (Morning and night)
All these practices are very important for a deeper spiritual communion. However, Christians should not be showy in observing any of these. Any form of attention-seeking behavior contradicts true piety.
True piety is secretly practicing these acts, acknowledging God who sees in secret. Desist from unnecessary attention(The world might know it's Lenten season but don't let everyone know through your expression while fasting)Be cheerful and humble.😁
DEAR FRIENDS IN CHRIST,
During these 40 days of Lent, we are encourage to make extra effort to attend,
Daily Masses,
Pray the Rosary and
Attend Stations of the cross wherever we are.
Allow Our Mother Mary to accompany you in this forty day journey too as we can't do it on our own but with the grace of God which she is the mediatress of it all.
Let's us pray:
Grant, O Lord, that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian’s service so that we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint. Through Christ our Lord. Amen