God is love and those who live in love live in God. Lent is a moment of grace that the love of God has given us, a second chance for us to reconcile with Him. It is, therefore, providential that Valentine’s Day falls on Ash Wednesday. We must emulate God by never giving up on anyone, but rather always leaving room for forgiving and reconciling with those who offend us. Love does not keep a record of wrongs, but is always eager to forgive. Couples who are having conflicts must take advantage of Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day to imitate God’s love and offer each other a second chance.
Lent is a time for prayer, penance and fasting, and that Christians should show sorrow for their sins by fasting and engaging in Charity works. When we fast and approach God in prayers, we know that the Lord listens to a humble and contrite heart and so, we are assured that God has accepted our prayers. So, we must spend this moment in prayers for our countrythat is being threatened by insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, grinding poverty, and hunger.
We must spend this time in prayer and supplication not only for our individual and families’ needs, but also for our country.
Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins is the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.
