We have set foot into the New Year. For some, the road seems smooth, for others, the spillovers of the festive season are now a reality. Yet we are all living, waiting and hoping, for the sun to rise and set. I guess that is being truly Christian, that Hope is the last thing to die. As we approach this year, we are excited about starting afresh, amending a number of things, and coming a new. This is the call for conversion that is relatedly a mystery, one that takes immeasurable time.
It is a great opportunity that as we delve into the New Year, we are called upon to remember our past and transform. This is the goal of Lent. Ash Wednesday this year falls on a very important day, 14 th February, Valentines Day. Yes, to some, it may not raise eyebrows, to others, a
caution. Why should it be a big issue? It is a day we commemorate love. Love in the sense of martyrdom of St Valentine; a silent reminder that we should be ready to die for one another if we are to follow in the steps of Christ.
That is the greatest Love God had for humanity, to lay down His life. Therefore, this should be our pillar in celebrating Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday this year; that St Valentine may intercede for us to be lovers of the cross. Lent, Rev Fr Robert Nsinga, MCCJ reminds us in this issue is a privileged time to listen to the Word of God, not with deaf ears but with the openness of heart that leads us to convert through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Sacramental life and solidarity with those around us.
Lent is thus a time of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. These three signs: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving show our conversion and faithful following of Jesus Christ. When we talk of conversion, we relate to the newness of life, transformed and renewed life, following Jesus and living
according to the Gospels. How then can this be done? By being sensitive to the needs of others. St Daniel Comboni relates this to being sensitive to the poor and most abandoned in our communities.
This involves as Sr Dr Solome Najjuka RSCJ notes, living in love, communion and harmony, sharing in the bounty and caring for one another. This is the social teaching of the Catholic Church, to build bridges of Faith, Hope and Love and bring justice to all those who call out for help and are in need.
In justice, His Holiness, Pope Francis reminds us that we shouldn’t forget to care for God’s creation. The Holy Pontiff sheds light that “our care for one another and our care for the earth are intimately bound together,” moreover, our responsibility in taking care of Mother Earth is for the dignity of human life.
As we tread through the year, thus, may we be close to Jesus in prayer to experience a conversion of heart and a mindfulness that is necessary to truly love one another, holding onto the Gospel of Mathew 25:40 that; “ …as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” We will thus be able to “Praise God for all His Creatures.”
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