Sunday 1st March 2025.  8th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Today is the 8th Sunday of the year (C) and also the last Sunday before Lent.

In the book of Ecclesiasticus, the wise sage presented the four ways of proving the worth and generosity of people, through their speech among others ways. The first reading is in the light of today’s Gospel reading, on knowing people by their fruits, our actions or inaction defines us. By their fruits we shall know them.

Paul is assuring us that death should not be feared, death is a reality, our life in this world must come to an end. Death is a victory which awaits us as we eagerly, look forward to be reunited with Christ Jesus in His Victory over death. Our view of death and attitudes towards death should be that of assurance of eternal life.

Lent is a period of penitential preparation for the celebration of Easter. This week Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Forty days of Prayers, Fasting/ abstinence and almsgiving.

Fasting is reducing what we eat, what drink and what we do. Prayer is finding intimacy with the Lord, by frequenting the Sacraments, participating in Spiritual activities and reconciling with oneself, our God and others. That is, we have to be in peace with ourselves with others and with God.

Almsgiving is doing the works of Charity, reaching out to the less privilege and the most vulnerable around us.

We must carry out definite actions to make use of this opportune time, as a person, as a family, as a church and as a community. We must set out a realistic goal for this Lent.   

 Jerome Otitoyomi DUKIYA.