Theme: “Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion”
(By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh)
Theme: “Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversion”
(By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh)
A. ON THE ESSENCE OF LENT
1. “Lent is a time in which… the Church invites us to place the mystery of God back in the center of our lives, in order to find renewal in our faith.”
2. “Every path towards conversion begins by allowing the word of God to touch our hearts and welcoming it with a docile spirit.”
B. ON THE POWER OF LISTENING
3. “The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into relationship with someone.”
4. “Listening to the word in the liturgy teaches us to listen to the truth of reality.”
5. “The condition of the poor is a cry that, throughout human history, constantly challenges our lives, societies, political and economic systems, and, not least, the Church.”
C. ON AUTHENTIC FASTING
6. “Fasting… helps us to identify and order our ‘appetites,’ keeping our hunger and thirst for justice alive and freeing us from complacency.”
7. “Those who are unable to nourish themselves with the word of God do not fast properly.”
8. “Austerity alone makes the Christian life strong and authentic.”
D. ON COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY
9. “Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement… in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, [and] in political debates.”
10. “Conversion refers not only to one’s conscience, but also to the quality of our relationships and dialogue.”
These quotes highlight a beautiful synergy between interior spiritual discipline and the “digital charity”.
