Wenesde, March 2, 2022
Ash Wednesday
O Lord, show us mercy, because we don sin. (see Psalm 51)
Mercy. Na wetin all this be about. As we dey begin Lent, one good place to start na to understand mercy better.
Plenty times, when we think about Lent, some kind fear dey enter our mind. We dey often think say, “I must give up something.” But if na so we dey think, then we never understand the main point. I “must” give up something? Well, yes and no. Na true say God want this, and through His Church, He don tell us to practise self-denial and self-discipline. That one na true. But e be invitation to receive grace far more than to put heavy load for our head.
To give up something na really to enter deeper into the abundant mercy of God. Na to get freedom from everything wey hold us bound, and e dey help us experience the new life wey we dey seek deep for our heart. To give up something fit mean something as simple as to fast from one kind food or drink. Or e fit be any action wey we choose to do and wey require make we deny ourself something. But this na good thing! Why? Because e dey strengthen our spirit and our will. E dey strengthen us to stand firm more, so that we go fit tell God “Yes” with our whole self.
Plenty times for life, na our feelings and desires dey control us. We dey feel sudden urge for this or that, or to do this or that, and we dey often allow those urges or desires control us. When we begin practise self-denial, e dey strengthen us to control those tendencies for our life wey no dey in proper order, instead of make dem control us. And this one concern far more than just food and drink. E concern plenty things for life, including how we dey live a life of virtue, especially our charity.
Mercy na all about charity. Na to love the way God want make we love. Na to dey free to allow love fill us and take over our whole life, so that, for the end, all we go want do na to love. E fit hard to make this kind practice part of our life, but na from there our joy and fulfilment dey come.
Mercy, in particular, na act of love wey, for one kind way, the other person no deserve. Na free gift wey person give only because of love. And na this same kind love God dey give us. All the love wey God get for us na mercy. And if we want receive that mercy, then we too must show am to others. And if we want show am, we need prepare our heart well to show mercy. Our small acts of self-denial na part of wetin dey help us do this.
So make this Lent be one wey go really bear fruit, but no let your mind remain for the thought say the sacrifices of Lent na heavy load. Dem be one important part of the road wey lead to the life wey God want give us.
My Lord wey give Yourself as sacrifice, make this Lent truly bear fruit for my life. Make e be grace and joy for me to accept everything wey You want give me. Jesus, na You I trust.
(Reflection One go begin for Satide)
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Scripture Meditation Dem for Lent
Picture wey we feature for up: Woman, See Your Son, wey James Tissot paint, through Brooklyn Museum
Two very good books for Lent:
Reflections for Lent and Easter
We don update am for Lent & Easter 2022, with more reflections and Table of Contents wey give more details
Reflections for Lent and Easter na one of the four books wey make up the Catholic Daily Reflections Series. As book for devotion, e dey help person well-well to tink deep and pray every day. E get reflections on the Gospel of each day wey remain faithful to the faith, easy to understand, and useful for everyday life. The way dem arrange am, person fit use am for any liturgical year. E get reflections for every Gospel option, including Sunday Years A, B & C, every option for daily Mass, and all Feasts and Solemnities. Allow the death and resurrection of Christ to change your heart more fully this Lent and Easter! You fit also get am as paperback & eBook!
40 Days for the Foot of the Cross:
To Look with Love from the Heart of Our Blessed Mother
Through this book for daily devotion, dem dey invite you to use prayer think deep about wetin dey the mind and heart of our Blessed Mother as she endure the great suffering wey dem make her own dear Son suffer. Mother Mary face her Son Cross with perfect faith, love and devotion. She remain faithful to her Son throughout Im life without shaking. As she stand before the Cross during those three long hours, she no stop to dey faithful.
