Ash Wednesday: Cleric urges Christians to Shun Evil
Rev. Fr. Godfrey Gopep, the Parish Priest of St Finberrs’ Catholic Church, Rayfield, Jos, has advised Christians and Nigerians in general to shun evil during the Lenten season.
Gopep gave the advice in his sermon in commemoration of the 2023 Ash Wednesday in Jos.
The cleric, who decried the spate of evil acts among Christians, urged them to have the fear of God at all times.
”A lot of us are deliberately doing evil to hurt others; we stay awake at night to plan evil instead to pray and think of positive things.
”So, I urge us all to use this Lenten season to shun evil and be good to those who come our way; you should fear God in your thoughts and all your dealings.
”We should also use this holy season to serve God in sincerity and show love by serving the poor.
”By so doing, we will eradicate class of the poor in our society,” he said.
Gopep also advised Christians to be change agents in their families, work places and communities in general.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent.
It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares Christians for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Meanwhile, in a Lent message, Pope Francis said: “Dear brothers and sisters, may the Holy Spirit sustain us this #Lent2023 in our ascent with Jesus. May we experience His divine splendour and thus, confirmed in faith, persevere in our journey with Him, the glory of His people and light of the nations.”
Dear brothers and sisters, may the Holy Spirit sustain us this #Lent2023 in our ascent with Jesus. May we experience His divine splendour and thus, confirmed in faith, persevere in our journey with Him, the glory of His people and light of the nations.https://t.co/qCYq2VUYft
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) February 22, 2023
