This Lenten season is another gift from the Lord; a time when we go into ourselves and know ourselves better. This is a moment when we go deeply into ourselves, to know where we make mistakes and where we are weak with the readiness to go on a journey to strengthen our faith through fasting, prayers and almsgiving.

We start this season with the distribution of ashes on our foreheads which signify that we enter into this season with all humility, humbling ourselves before God and man, saying we are nothing but tools in the hands of God. Receiving ashes is nothing to pride in but one to thank God for as people counted worthy to serve Him and neighbour in humility.

Ashes are meant to show weakness, humility and our love for what is natural, hence, when we receive ashes, we should be glad that we are ready to walk with the Lord. As we start this important spiritual journey which reminds us that we are weak and sinners, we should note that it is meant for our spiritual growth and journey where we have to amend areas where we are falling and also to strengthen areas where we are weak that we know of.

Christ himself gave us the example of this fasting and we are doing it in His imitation; forty days of fasting and prayer and in our case, we also add almsgiving since we live in communities. This is a time when we have to be very calm, no anger, no insult, no abuse but to treat people as human beings with love and compassion. We are weak, no doubt which is why this season has been put there by the Church in imitation of Christ. Therefore, we are to struggle to conquer our weaknesses, utterances that are sinful, that destroy others and in fact, our charity must be done with love.

Fasting is successful when it conquers our sins or rudeness and all that is evil in us. It must also help us to improve our faith, and our spiritual life. Fasting is also a training, a school to become better; better Christians, followers of Christ. Fasting that is condemned is considered in the book of Prophet Isaiah Chapter 58:1-9 as fasting that is seeking only the individual’s pride, pleasure or oppression of others etc., this kind is a fasting that is injurious to the self.

Fasting should soften our hearts to do better. It should help us to become more humane and give us joy in whatever we do. When you fast, do not fall into self-righteousness, you cannot judge yourself to be good, leave that to God and your fellow men and women. Whatever good you think you have achieved through your fasting should manifest in concrete actions; then people will see clearly.

We must desist from complaining as this can remove all graces attached to our fasting. Fasting can take various shapes, from eating less throughout the day to eating just a full meal in the day. However, the Church has the practice of not eating meat on Fridays and Ash Wednesday. It is to be noted that those who are above 60years of age MAY NOT fast but we know that there are some who have grown so used to it such that even at 80years they are still fasting; that’s a special grace from God, no doubt.

Also, those who are below 16 years may not fast which is why parents should not force their children in the bit to save money or food, that will not be a good approach to fasting. Rather than force any child, make them understand the meaning of fasting in the Church; that if you fast, it is because you want to give yourself to God totally. You do not fast to save money or resources. Whatever you have kept due to fasting should go to the poor.

Prayer must go along with fasting because failure to do is to fall into temptations and we need to overcome temptations at this time. When we fast and pray we are equipped to overcome temptations. When we fast, we are to use those areas we have been taught in catechism, to forgive, repent and reconcile. When you fast, look good and be decent, do not look dismal. We are not to blow our trumpet when we fast, it is between us and God. Those who are sick or on any kind of medication MAY NOT fast, likewise nursing mothers. Those who do some strong works like in the factories may equally not fast to prevent accident. However, these set of persons can still participate in the Lenten journey by making amendments where necessary, giving alms to the poor and pray.

Let us pray that this season will bring us joy, peace and eradicate anger, hate, difficulties and all kinds of evil and that our joint effort in reconciliation, fasting and prayer will remove all forms of fighting and war thus restoring peace and so live as God’s children.

And may the Almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.