Beyond the annual Ash Wednesday, those words should be found often on our lips, in our hearts and our way of life. Yesterday, while pondering over the words of the Supreme Pontiff during his homily at Casa Santa Martha on the eve of Ash Wednesday and his Lenten message for this year, I was reminded that this day should not been seen as an annual ritual but a reminder as regards the posture of our hearts.
The Church has to pray, fast and give alms not during the Lenten season alone but every second of the day. Just to remind you of the three core lifestyle that Lent is made of;
1. Prayer
Prayer is so important in Lent, and always; pray without ceasing. Even more than a duty, prayer is an expression of our need to respond to God’s love which always precedes and sustains us. Christians pray in the knowledge that, although unworthy, we are still loved.
"Prayer can take any number of different forms, but what truly matters in God’s eyes is that it penetrates deep within us and chips away at our hardness of heart, in order to convert us ever more fully to God and to his will." - Pope Francis.
Make out time to fellowship with God. The year is two months old already and it's been a journey accompanied with noise from the hustle and bustle of our daily activities. Make a decision to take your relationship with God deeper.
2. Fasting/Abstinence
Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others. Map out those things/people in your life that have replaced God or are almost replacing God; it could be social media? A relationship? Just anything...
Practice self-denial! Get rid of anger, unforgiveness, hypocrisy and any other thing that doesn't make you be like Jesus.
3. Almsgiving
In our world today,giving out of freewill and selflessness is often not part of daily life where everything is bought and sold. Everything is calculated and measured. Almsgiving helps us to experience giving freely, which leads to freedom from the obsession of possessing, from the fear of losing what we have, from the sadness of one who does not wish to share his wealth with others.
"Owners are rebel in the Kingdom of God - Apostle Joshua Selman"
Give, it might always be materials but you can spare your time to assist that old woman down the street or the blind man trying to cross the road. Just do something that Jesus would have done if he was in your position.
Don't just collect the Ash and wait for Easter Sunday, be intentional! Don't restrict the aforementioned habits to Lent. Let it become a lifestyle.
I pray that you will encounter Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and the ordinaries of everyday life in this season of sober meditation.
Momento mori,
Johnstone.
PS: Read Pope Francis' 2020 Lenten Message
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