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Rev. Canon Ifeanyi Emegwa of the Church of the Pentecost, Awka, Anambra has urged Christians to fast, pray and give alms during the Lenten season.
Emegwa gave the advice during a homily on Ash Wednesday to mark the beginning of the Lenten season in the Christendom calendar.
He noted that lent was a season of spiritual preparation and one of the five liturgical seasons in the liturgical year.
The cleric advised Christians to be worthy followers of Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
Emegwa said that during the Lenten season, people of God were called to commemorate and reflect on the Lord’s passion through spiritual preparation, conversion and penance.
He said that the season was an invitation to renew baptismal call, live as sons and daughters of God and Disciples of Jesus Christ.
The clergyman used the book of Joel chapter 2 verses 12 to 13 to admonish his parishioners “rend your heart and not your garment.
“Return to the Lord with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning, return to the Lord for He is gracious and compassionate,” he said.
Emegwa urged them to prepare spiritually for the lent by letting go of sinful behaviour, by seeking interior change and by practicing penance.
He also urged them to follow the teachings of Christ in all their daily lives by practicing the three pillars of lent of prayer, fasting and alms giving.
‘’Christians were encouraged to practice the three pillars of lent namely: prayer which is the action that leads faithful to God, Fasting which is restricting consumption, depriving yourself of both good/bad things for God’s glory.
“Alms giving which is action that leads Christians to see others as themselves, love them , listen to them , help , advice , to give alms is to be united to Christ in his poverty.
“It is action done based on charity,’’ he said.
Emegwa said the imposition of ash on the fore head was a sign of conversion and repentance as ashes used for the imposition comes from the blessed palm left over from the previous year.
“The palm are burnt to produce the ashes which are considered as sacramental and are blessed before use.
The lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the mass of the Lords super and urged faithful to engage in art of penance and reconciliation,’’ he said.