Embrace prayers, almsgiving, christians charged

By Evelyn Omotoye
|
Christians have been charged to be humble and rededicate themselves to God in fasting, prayers as well as almsgiving as they proceed with the Lenten season.

The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Revd. (Dr.) Jude Arogundade gave the charge in his Lenten Season’s message to the church as it commenced on Wednesday.

He described Lenten season which begins with Ash Wednesday, as a season of grace, period of sober reflection and renewal of body and soul to God.

According to the cleric, the ashes on the first day of lent is a symbol of repentance to subdue pleasure-seeking self and open self to God’s mercy in the biblical tradition.

His words: “Ashes reminds us that we were made from the dust and we shall return to same when we die. It is to invoke our nothingness before God and proclaim our desire for His Spirit”.

Arogundade who noted that the body craves for food and worldly pleasures that gives it joy and feeling of worth, said such  are mostly to the detriment of the spirit.

He said: “In the season of lent, we engage in the discipline of fasting, praying and almsgiving.

“Fasting and abstinence cause the body discomfort and give a sense of nothingness and selflessness in us. It clears our thoughts to see and attend to the needs of others.

“Fasting makes our prayers and almsgiving effective, sincere and also makes us feel the presence of God in us”, he added.

The Catholic Bishop therefore challenged Christian faithful to humble themselves and be disposed to heartfelt effective prayers, praying that they find forgiveness in the power of God’s mercy.

Arogundade equally called on all people of goodwill at this time of grace to reach out to those who do not know God or follow His ways and invite them, so as to find rest in God.

While urging the church not to relent in the work of mercy, he charged  Christians to be kind and responsive to the needs of others around them.