The Sunday Mail
Desire Ncube
LOCAL Catholics joined millions across the globe in the Lenten season which commenced with Ash Wednesday on February 10.
The 40-day Lenten season ends on Holy Saturday and is a period in which Catholics are expected to engage in practices of self-denial.
In a Lenten talk at Dominican Convent High School in Harare last week, Vicar-General Right Reverend Father Kennedy Muguti called on Catholics to be diligent, moderate and to minimise or do away with activities that glorify themselves; and instead be more spiritual in their actions and thoughts.
Fr Muguti said besides preparing for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus (Easter Sunday), Lent invokes God’s favour and grace.
Fr Muguti emphasised that the ashes distributed on Ash Wednesday should neither be taken lightly nor treated as a ceremonial affair, as they were a mark of the readiness to repent.
“It is a time for conversion, a time to discard evil activities and return to God for good, a time for sacrament and purification and a time for people to make peace with those they have wronged.”
He spoke on the four most important spiritual exercises of the season: fasting, prayer, alms-giving and abstinence.
Fr Mugutu lamented how people returned to their old ways after Lent.
“During this period, people make various resolutions only to return to their usual lives soon after Easter. It is expected that whatever habit is given up now, is given up totally,” he added.
In his Lenten Reflections two weeks ago, Fr Reki Mashayamombe said this was a time for Christians to “come down from the high horse of human arrogance inflated by the comfort of material possessions and power”.
“It is a time to remind ourselves of the difficult to swallow but painful reality that we are here today but gone tomorrow.
“For us as men and women of faith, during this Lenten period, our main contribution to the task of making Zimbabwe work should be to turn to God in prayer and supplication while carrying out our civic duties diligently,” Fr Mashayamombe said.
Fr Mashayamombe noted that there were many less-privileged people around and alms-giving should be a key activity.
“The lessons of the seasons should not be discarded after the 40-day period. They should remain with us and guide our everyday actions.
“We are hopeful that the virtues of the season transcend the church and make a mark on the larger society,” said Fr Mashayamombe.
