Lenten season will as usual commence this year on Ash Wednesday, February 14; a day set aside to receive ashes on the forehead to signify, “we are dust and to dust we return.” It is the season to observe and commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God, our Saviour and Redeemer. It is an opportune time to reflect on what it means to be a follower of Christ. BETTY AMUKPO converses with some children on the importance of Lent.
‘It is an important period of reflection, growth and new beginnings in the Christian calendar’
It is a time we set aside each year to remember the love of God that is poured out through Jesus Christ on the Cross in His death, and His defeat of death, sin and Satan in Christ’s death and resurrection that brings enteral life to us. It’s also a period we remember that we come from dust and to dust we shall return. Lent is an important period of reflection, growth and new beginnings in the Christian calendar.
• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘It is also the period I take my fasting and penance serious’
Lent is that period of time, when you and I give up our own resolution and listen for God’s directive. God’s lead might be more difficult, but it gives joy at last. It’s a period when we abstain from certain foods and luxury. Lent is a period of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. It is a time we set aside each year to remember the love of God that is poured out through Christ Jesus on the cross in His death. Lent is a period of fasting and regret for one’s sins. It is observed for 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Lent is important to me because that is the period I reflect more on the suffering and death of my Lord Jesus. It is also the period I take my fasting and penance serious. May the passion and death of Christ bring everlasting Joy to us. We need the grace of God to embark on this journey because only His grace is sufficient (2 Cor.12:9).
Source.www.Christianity.com www. Merriam Webster.com
• Anita Chima
‘In Lent there are four purposed pillars – Prayers, Fasting, Abstinence, Almsgiving/ Charity’
Lent is 40 days prayers to remind us of Christ’s 40 days prayers/fasting in the wilderness and His defeat of Satan, the tempter. Matt 4:1-11, Lk 4:1-13. Catholics use Lenten season in preparation to celebrate the Lord’s death and resurrection, which freed mankind from death at Easter. In the Lent journey, there are four purposed pillars-viz; prayers, fasting, abstinence, almsgiving/ charity. In Lent, our prayers focus on God’s forgiveness, repentance, God’s mercy and love. It is a time of sober reflection. During Lent, we make space to pray, read the Bible, abstinence from indulgence/remission, and reflect on Christ ‘s Pascal sacrifice to free us from the wages of sin (Death), Rm.6:23.
• Victory Osalumense Omovon
‘It’s a time when I make space to pray, read the Bible and reflect on God’s love’
Lent is a time when I make space to pray, read the Bible and reflect on God’s love (Ecclesiastes 3:20). It helps me remember the event leading up to, and including the death of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:24), whose life and teaching are the foundation of Christianity. Traditionally, lent was a period of fasting from certain foods like egg and meat, while others may give up something to focus on their relationship with God (John 10:10).
• Stephen Victory
‘During Lent, we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting’
Lent commemorates the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. It’s important to me, because it brings me closer to God and it’s that time of the year that one truly, on the Churches directives, commune spiritually with his/ her creator. Prayer during Lent focuses on our need for God’s forgiveness. It’s also about repenting and receiving God’s mercy and love. (Mark 1:13; Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13). Mark tells us that Jesus was tempted by Satan, but it is in Matthew and Luke that the details of the temptation are fleshed out. All three accounts say that Jesus went without food for the 40 days. That’s the genesis of our Lent.
• Victoria Okefe
‘It enables us to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly’
Lent is very important to me because it is the season that begins with putting ashes on our forehead, and it symbolises our mortality as well as our need to be redeemed by God’s mercy. It’s also very important to me because Lent summons us, and enables us to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life. During lent, the altar is not decorated with flowers, and the Alleluia and Gloria are omitted in all Masses. Lent is forty a day-long observance. (Mark 1:12-13).
• Mary Peace Oche
