Na so e be, my people! As Lent go start for February 18 and end on April 2, millions of Christians worldwide dey prepare early o!
This season no be only fast and pray matter, na also reflection and sacrifice wey make sense. E dey mark 40 days wey Jesus spend for wilderness wey dem talk say e no chop anything. For Ash Wednesday, people go dey line up to collect their ashes, remember say we all sabi sin, but we fit connect back to God.
Some people dey use this season take give up plenty things wey dem love, like social media, wetin dey cut their connection with the divine. Others dey come join extra church service or even dey run charity to help people wey need am. Na dis one dey follow with Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and finally Easter Sunday, wey we go mark Jesus’ resurrection!
But wetin bring Lent come na strong history wey go back to first Christians after Christ don resurrect. Dem dey fast wey dey prepare dem for Easter, no be today dem start am o! Even Eusebius, one historian for church don talk am before. Na why estry 40 days dey important. If you remember, e rain for Noah days, Moses spend 40 days for Mount Sinai, and e no fit forget Jesus own temptation for wilderness.
Back then, dem no come make am law to observe Lent, but Pope Gregory I adjust am for year 601. Ash Wednesday come be special day wey dem use ashes take mark forehead like sign of repentance. This ashes go all the way back to Bible when people dey show sign say dem dey ready for forgiveness. E mean say we all be sinners, but God go always dey ready to accept us back if we turn from our ways!
As we dey go through this Lent, e go make sense to find time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. E no just dey about wetin you go giv up, but wetin you fit add wey go make you closer to God. So, whether na to dey volunteer, read Bible wey you no dey read before, or even gather with your paddy dem to pray together—whatever fit help you grow for faith!
For dis year, many Christians for Southern California dey feel the heat of immigration debate plus oppression wey dey happen. People dey experience fear and challenges wey dey weigh dem down, but dem dey try remember say Lent no be just about sacrifice, but about community and supporting one another.
As we dey face this time together, remember say our actions fit change our community. E no matter wetin you dey pass through, God dey ready to heal and accept you, no be by your own strength but by grace. So make we go through Lent sabi the journey wey dey lead us towards the resurrection!
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