A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Thomas Edogbanya has urged Christians to use the period of Lent to enhance their closeness to God and help one another, especially the less privileged in the society.
Edogbanya, the Parish Priest of Saint Charles Lwanga Parish, Apo, Abuja, gave the advice in a sermon during the church’s Ash Wednesday service in Abuja.
The priest urged Christians to observe the tenets of lent, including the act of genuine repentance and abstinence from any form of sin.
According to him, lent is a season of sober reflection and the journey of Jesus Christ to the cross and the sacrifice of humanity.
He explained that the church had set the solemn season aside for deep reflection and repentance through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
The priest said it was not enough to apply the ashes on the forehead alone, adding that the season required from every believer, a genuine repentance, holy living, and act of kindness to fellow humans.
“Ash Wednesday marks the best of the Christian liturgical season of Lent. It is a significant day for millions of Christians’ world, symbolising repentance, reflection, and spiritual renewal.
“Ashes are applied to our forehead in the sign of the cross as the words, ‘remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return’ are spoken to us,” Edogbanya said. (NAN)
