SEASON OF PENANCE.

The Lenten season begins with the administering of Ashes, on Ash Wednesday, which introduces you and me to begin to rethink our relationship with with God, especially our moral lives. This obviously obliges on us to a life of penitence in which we show contrition for our past lives, which we have lead. We necessarily have to accept season of discipline that must accord with a Lenten liturgy namely:
1. A return to God, as we have become prodigal, even like the prodigal son (Lk
2. 15:1-17).
3. A spirituality of reconciliation with one another and with God.
4. A period to conquer oneself and be master of ones action, never its slave.
The ash we have already accepted should continue to remind us that we are pilgrim people who must dedicate their lives to living as citizens of heaven, not those who become dangerously engrossed with the passing shadows of our times. The church and the scriptures give us a good guide to the season of penitence. They are prayer; alms giving and fasting. (cf.Is 58:1-12)
Prayer as a form of penitence for this season must show in our utter dedication and communion with him, in such a way that we draw closer to him. This means that if we are not a praying people, we should begin in earnest. Scripture warns that our prayer lives should not be a form of public acclamation or showism which is regarded as holier than thou attitude.
Alms giving must be done in such a way, that it is meant to assist the less privileged ones and those in critical situations of life. This must be done quietly, such that God rewards such charity. The alms we offer must be tangible and sacrificing in our sight, before it can make meaning even in the sight of God.
Fasting from food is recommended. But fasting from tendencies that lead us into sin must be primary, before that of food. When we fast, our facial looks should be welcoming not a perturbed and confused kind of appearance. What we pray is that, God gives each and every one of us the strength to persevere in this season of penitence. After this season our Lenten observance may God grant us the grace to be part of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He call to self-denial cannot be part and parcel of the true journey of the forty days of our preparation for our victory over the flesh, concupiscence and the additions or habits that makes us act foreign to the invitation of Jesus Christ. Self-denial is a form of self-control and mastery over the self-instincts that control us inordinately.
We must not fail to realize that the fact of our acceptance of the ash on Wednesday was the highlight that we are sinners who must necessarily seek to return back to God, remain contrite, humble and docile to God’s word.
The accompanying words of administering this Ash are “repent and believe in the Gospel”. Trust and faith in the gospel must be unquantified at this material time, since it is the basis for true knowledge and the pathway to moral, social rectitude.
One of the primary things we must endeavour to do at this time is to examine closely those temptations that lure us into sin, our cause of moral laxity and general failures in life.
The Liturgical and Para-liturgical services should be used for drawing close to Christ; namely daily attendances at masses, recitation of our prayers, stations of the cross, bible classes, adoration,quiet visits to Jesus in the blessed Sacrament etc. We therefore hope and pray that our efforts in this season of the discipline of lent will help us grow in all positive way.