Christians all over the globe are observing today as Ash Wednesday. Often called the Day of Ashes, Ash Wednesday commences the forty day Lenten season which focuses the heart of Christian faithful on repentance and prayer, usually through personal penitence and communal confession.
Observed in the seventh week before Easter, the event is marked with Holy Mass and Corporate Service. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the placing of ashes on the foreheads of worshippers with either the words “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or the dictum: “Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return”.
Ashes are prepared by burning the palm fronds from previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations. On Palm Sunday, churches bless and handout palm fronds to the faithful, a reference to the Gospels’ account of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when onlookers lay palm branches on His path.
Ashes were used in ancient times to express grief, sorrow for sins and faults. The practice of using ashes is also an external sign of repentance, fasting, reflection and ultimately celebration.
During Holy mass or corporate service, the officiating priest will usually share a sermon that is penitential and reflective in nature. The mood is solemn and is characterized by a responsive passage of scripture.
After all the ceremonies, the congregation will be invited to receive the ashes on their foreheads which symbolizes death and repentance. Ashes are equivalent to Dust and human flesh is composed of dust and when a human corpse decomposes, it returns to dust or ash.
So, as we observe the Ash Wednesday with sober reflection and soul searching, we should also bear in mind the mood of the nation. Nigeria is facing many challenges including high cost of living and other economic hardships.
People should use the period of Lent in showing love, which the church always preaches.
It is because of God’s love for the people and the church, that He sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ to come, suffer and die for mankind for the salvation and redemption of their sins. Ash Wednesday provides the faithful the opportunity to fast and pray for the youths, who are gradually going back to idolatry for them to repent and embrace God.
The Ash Wednesday should also afford the faithful a golden opportunity to pray for the success of the Nigerian leaders, as well as for the peace, unity, progress and development of Nigeria nation.
Ndi Anambra should pray for Professor Chukwuma Soludo in all his efforts to uplift the State to a liveable and prosperous homeland and for the seamless inauguration of his second tenure on March seventeen this year.
As we mark this year’s Ash Wednesday today, which begins the Lenten season, Christians should purify their hearts, control their desires and grow in spiritual strength.
Let us use this period to pray for an end to insecurity including ritual killings, banditry, kidnappings, armed robbery and other criminal acts and social vices as well as promote the things that unite us to emerge stronger as a nation.
The Ash Wednesday should also afford Nigeria the opportunity to pray for the successful conduct of the 2027 general election, as well as for the peace, unity, progress and development of the Nigeria nation. May God continue to hear our prayers.
VENERABLE SAMUEL OKONKWO
