Repentance and remembrance
Thank God Lent is here again. Lent is a life-long invitation to repentance and friendship with God and fellow human beings. John the Baptist, the greatest man born of woman, (Jn. 11:11) made the invitation to repentance his central message. Jesus Christ too called people to repentance right after his fasting and temptation using exactly the same words as John the Baptist. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand” (Matt. 3:2, 4:17). Lent is also a call to remember of who man really is, a frail creature of a holy God. To keep man humble, God himself told him at creation: “…dust you are and to dust you shall return”, (Gen. 3:19). That is one of the purposes of Ash Wednesday ashes, applied right at the start of lent, repentance in humility.
Roadmap for Pilgrims of Hope
True pilgrims of hope must understand that observing Lent keeps us on the track of holiness to our salvation. Fasting, repentance, prayer and meditation on God’s word, giving support to the poor and needy and striving for personal conversion surely lead to personal purification and peace. The 40-day journey of lent is fully grounded in Scripture, as a sure way to God’s favour and a better existence. Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18); Elijah on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8); the Flood in the days of Noah (Genesis 7:4); Israel’s journey to the Promised Land; the ultimatum for repentance given to the people of Nineveh by Jonah (Jonah 3:4) and Jesus’ fasting are all testimonies of this necessary, infallible journey to redemption (Mark 1:12-13, Matthew 4:1-3, Luke 4:1-4). All this confirms that the season of Lent a season of divine grace in our journey of life.
What would you give up?
These episodes confirm that lent rotates on the fulcrum of repentance, self-denial and renunciation. We are led to give up something in order to make up for our failings and obtain a higher good. This can mean forgiving those who hurt us, fasting and abstaining to provide for the needy, letting go of our pride and privileges in order to serve others, giving up our comfort in order to make space for the weak and vulnerable and so on. Giving is an essential part of lent and observing lent in this way enriches our witness and deepens our faith in one human brotherhood. Indeed, practically all the great religions, Christianity Islam, Hinduism, Traditional Religion have injunctions on repentance, fasting and self-denial and charity.
Favour the underprivileged
We simply must make our lent as practical as possible, for only thus can we make the world better. Who, but human beings can stop the ongoing wars, violence, killing, exploitation and suffering all around? If only all who claim to know God would heed the call to sincerity of heart by the prophet Isaiah (Is. 58), the world would be a much better place. If leaders at every level shun hypocrisy, truly work for peace and cease auctioning the poor and the weak for influence and wealth, lent would have greater meaning and impact.
Lent: Leave every nation transformed
As the two greatest religions with the largest followers observe Ramadan and Lent almost simultaneously this year, we cannot ignore our obligation to exert religious, moral and spiritual influence on our world. The faithful of all statuses need to be sincere and live out their commitment. Until then the poor, the weak and oppressed will continue to miss the dividends of true authentic religion, like fraternity, solidarity, harmony, justice, peace and love. Lent urges a return from the dust of our weakness and sinfulness to the good will and plan of God who is always ready to welcome the wayfarer home. “If my people who bear my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my presence and turn from their wicked ways, then I will listen from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their country” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Time is long overdue for pilgrims of hope to earn that divine promise and positively transform every nation and people of the world.
• Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, is the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo.
