Ash Wednesday Message To The Church
(1st mercy day of march)
Calvary greetings in the Name of Our Savior Jesus Christ,
As we come together this Ash Wednesday to begin our Lenten journey, we are invited to pause, reflect, and realign ourselves with God’s will. This is a time of renewal—a sacred season that calls us to repent, to turn away from the distractions of the world, and to seek the face of our Creator with humble hearts.
Ash Wednesday serves as a poignant reminder of our own mortality. The ashes placed upon our foreheads are a visible symbol of the reality that we are dust, and to dust, we shall return (Genesis 3:19). Yet, in these words and in these ashes, we also find the invitation to embrace God’s mercy, which is more powerful than death. Christ’s victory over the grave is a promise that even in our frailty, we are offered the gift of eternal life through Him.
Lent is a time to examine ourselves—our thoughts, our actions, and our hearts—and to ask the essential question: “Where is God calling me to change?” It is an opportunity for self-reflection and transformation, so that we might be better equipped to live as Christ’s disciples. This season of penance is not about punishing ourselves, but about making space for God’s love to work in us and through us.
In these 40 days, we are called to three spiritual practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These disciplines are tools that help us draw closer to God and remind us of the needs of others. Prayer is our lifeline to God, where we confess our sins and seek His guidance. Fasting is a way of detaching ourselves from the excesses of the world and focusing on what truly matters. Almsgiving is an expression of compassion, showing love to our neighbors and demonstrating the heart of Christ in the world.
As we embark on this journey together-with fast or not– let us not walk alone. Let us support and encourage one another, remembering that Lent is a communal journey. We are all in need of grace, and together, we can grow in faith and love.
May this season of Lent be a time of deep renewal. Let us open our hearts to God’s transforming power, knowing that through repentance and surrender, we can experience the joy and freedom of Easter.
Let us walk this journey with hope and expectation, trusting that the God who calls us to repentance is also the God who calls us to life and new beginnings.
In the name of Christ, Amen
With blessings of peace and renewal.
Michael Sanmi Dawodu
Shepherd in Charge.
