Build relationships, priest tells Christians as lent begins

A Catholic Priest, Reverend Luke-Dominic Onwe, has urged Christians to build relationships with both Christians and non-Christians as they begin the observance of lent.

Onwe, a visiting Carmelite priest from Ibadan Diocese, gave the advice in his homily at Christ the King Catholic Church, Kurudu, Abuja, at a Mass to celebrate Ash Wednesday, the beginning of lent.

The Catholic faithful in the parish adorned black attires to the Mass as directed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

The dressing was to mourn those who died in various attacks by terrorists and criminals in parts of the country.

Onwe said  building relationships will help to encourage Nigerians that there is  hope as good family relationships extended to the wider society will ensure unity among the citizens.

He reminded the faithful of the three pillars of lent – prayer, arms giving and fasting – all of which are meant for self purification and to draw one closer to God.

The cleric stated that lent was a period to reflect on life and to realise that ‘’Christ died for our sins and rose again to prepare a place for His people in eternity.’’

He explained that the ash the faith received on Ash Wednesday was to remind all that “we are dust and to dust we shall return’’ as well as the need for everyone to be humble before God.

He said the three pillars of lent cut across many religions but the difference in their observance was on the method of observing them.(NAN)

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