Lent is the liturgical season of "preparation for the celebration of Easter. For the Lenten liturgy disposes both catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery: catechumens, through the several stages of Christian initiation; the faithful, through reminders of their own baptism and through penitential practices" (General Instruction of the Roman Calendar).
In 2021, Lent begins on February 17 (Ash Wednesday) and ends on April 1 (Holy Thursday), as the Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins. Easter Sunday is April 4.
Prepare your heart and come along with us, as we join two eminent personalities, FR. JOSEPH MARY WOLFE, Mfva, Chaplain EWTN, and a young Seminarian, DAVID SEMAWON NUTAYI for the 2021 Lenten season mediations.
Fr. Joseph Mary Wolfe, is a Franciscan priest and Chaplain of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), the Global Catholic Television Network in Alabama, USA. He will be having his date with us on Sundays of the lent.
Nutayi David, a Seminarian under the auspices of the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, had his philosophical studies at Dominican Institute, Ibadan.
He is a retreat moderator, a youth coach, and a writer. He is preparing for his theological studies and he is currently residing at Ave Maria Catholic Church, Ikate-Lekki, Lagos Nigeria.
He is a retreat moderator, a youth coach, and a writer. He is preparing for his theological studies and he is currently residing at Ave Maria Catholic Church, Ikate-Lekki, Lagos Nigeria.
He will be taking us through on daily reflections.
What a great opportunity for our upcoming priest, by the grace of God!
Here is David Semawon Nutayi with today's reflection, 17 February (Ash Wednesday), 2021.
David Semawon Nutayi
A LENTEN PRAYER
Lord, I know how much you love me it’s hard for me; to feel it sometimes, but I know your love is always with me. Help me to use your love as a way to persevere in my Lenten intentions. I am weak, but I know with your help I can use these small sacrifices in my life to get closer to you and become strong. Amen.
DAY ONE OF 40 DAYS
Friends in Christ, today the Holy Mother Church begins her Lenten campaign with the distribution of Ashes. (which reminds us of the fact that we are dust and unto dust, we shall return). Lent is a holy season, a time of reconciliation and grace. It is a period in which the faithful renew themselves through prayers, fasting, and works of charity.
This holy season gives us the opportunity to reflect on how much we are loved by God and to seek the graces to love genuinely. “Lent is like a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the evil one.” (Pope Benedict XVI)
Beloved friends in the Lord, the book of Joel (2:12) invites us today to rend our hearts and not our garments, and to return to the Lord our God with fasting, weeping, and mourning. God is calling us once more to journey with him during this year’s Lenten voyage, to come to Him with our hearts that He might grant us His mercy.
We are in a country where human life seems worthless and the sanctity of human dignity is becoming questionable. A country where the lives of animals are becoming "precious" to the government than humans. A country where killings and shedding of innocent blood have become a routine and the government has become mischievous in their dealings. A country where corruption, injustices, wickedness, banditry, kidnapping have become threats to human society.
As we begin this year's Lenten campaign, let us turn to God in fasting and prayers seeking for His mercies upon us, our country, and our leaders that peace may be restored and the dignity of human life be respected.
Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to be able to journey with you at this year’s Lenten season. Amen.
May all our prayers be answered during this lent season
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