05/03/2025
Lent Is Here
Lent is a significant season in the annal of Christianity. It is not just a mere forty (40) day fasting in preparation for Easter, but a period of penitence and sobriety. Lent is beyond mere christian or church ritual; it is a season of spiritual blessedness and saturation. Lent provides the opportunity for:
• Reflection and Repentance: Lent is a time for christians to reflect on their ways, sins, repent and seek forgiveness.
• Renewal and Spiritual Growth: Lent is an opportunity for christians to renew their commitment to their faith, seek spiritual growth and deepen their relationship with God.
• Prayer and Devotion: Lent is a time for increased prayer, devotion and Spiritual meditation.
•Charity: Lent is a time for christians to expressly demonstrate the agape love (sacrificial love) to the world. This involves:
1. Generosity and kindness: Willingly giving of one's time, resources, and energy to benefit others.
2. Love and Compassion for Others: Showing empathy, concerns and care for those in need.
3. Selflessness and Sacrifice: Putting the needs of others before one's own, even if it requires personal sacrifice.
4. Forgiveness and Mercy: Extending kindness, understanding, and pardon to those who have wronged us.
Behold the Model lent:
"Is not this fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your real guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am. If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desires with good things, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters fail not" {Isaiah 58:6-11}
Lent offers us a time for spiritual reflection, repentance and renewal.
As we embark on this Lenten journey, may the eyes of our understanding be enlightened to reflect on our ways, repent and seek forgiveness in the name of Jesus. May the Holy Spirit grant us the enablement to grow in faith, love, kindness and compassion so as to reach the fullness of Christ. May the knowledge of God be unfolded to us for deeper relationship with God.
Welcome to the Lenten Season!
Rev. Gbenga Duyile ✍️