The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference have called on Christians to rekindle a reconciling attitude about one another by ending useless wrangling, by forgiving one another, by seeking reunion with grace and not with pride in Lenten Season.
According to the Bishops, Every Christian is to serve as an emissary who talks of reconciliation and acts as a reconciler.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Reverend Philip Naameh to begin 2020 Lenten Season on Wednesday, 26th February 2020.
This year’s season is on the Theme: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled with God” (2 Cor. 5:20).
The statement said Lenten season is a Favourable Time for Reconciliation, “During Lent, we are given another opportunity to learn that we stand together before God, in both guilt and reconciliation. To sin is to separate ourselves from the loving mercy of God as in the case of the prodigal son or like the elder son (in the Bible), who refused to heed to his father’s call to enter into his compassion and mercy. The language of this season is a symbol of our constant response to the call to accept and live in the loving mercy of God through the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation.”
This season, which begins on Ash Wednesday,26th February and culminates on Easter Sunday, is forty days during which Christians are called upon to be reconciled with God, with one another and with nature through the three traditional works of mercy: almsgiving, fasting, and prayer. Lent is a season for authentic reckoning with human weakness, sinfulness and the hope of reconciliation in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The season invites Christians to reflect on their individual and communal wrongdoings and leads us to repentance and transformation. “This year, the season offers us another moment for prayerful reflection on the theme: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled with God” (2 Cor. 5:20). We are provided with an opportunity to realign ourselves with the message of salvation.”, the Bishop said.
It said “The Lenten fast, which is obligatory for all Catholics who are above 18 years and below 60 years, concerns personal asceticism, and sacrifice. It affords us the chance to fast not only from food and drinks but also from sin, bad habits, and attitudes, luxurious and unhealthy lifestyles. We are enjoined to give away not only what we do not need but also what we need. We are to offload all the baggage that makes our Christian journey burdensome at the invitation of Christ who says: “Take my yoke and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart” (Matt 11:28). Lent calls us to a radical, never-ending and unconditional retooling of our life to the extent that Christ becomes the compass point by which and towards which we steer.”
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kofi Atakora
