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A Catholic priest administering the act of smearing ash to the faithful on the occasion of ‘Ash Wednesday’ during the morning session at Catholic Cathedral Church, Kohima, on March 6.[/caption]
Dimapur, March 6 (EMN): Catholic churches across the state have solemnly observed the ‘Ash Wednesday.’ The most important season in the Catholic liturgical calendar is the ‘Season of Lent’ which begins with ‘Ash Wednesday.”
In Kohima, ‘Ash Wednesday’ was observed at Catholic Cathedral Church, where the bishop of Kohima diocese, Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, was the main celebrant in the morning service. The second service in the evening was officiated Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, vicar general of the diocese.
Bishop, in his introduction, said that Lent is a time when Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline for forty days.
According to him, smearing of ashes on the forehead is a sign of conversion, penance, fasting and human mortality. The day receives its special name from the blessing and imposition of ashes in the form of a cross on the foreheads with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
The act of putting on ashes, the bishop stated, symbolises fragility and mortality and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God. He added that far from being a merely external act, the church has retained the use of ashes to symbolise the attitude of internal penance to which all the baptised are called particularly during the season of Lent.
He also stated that Lent recalls the forty days of Jesus’ fasting in the desert, which He undertook before entering into His public ministry.
The bishop exhorted the community that while fasting from certain things; they must feast on other things: Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in others. Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life. Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others. Fast from idle gossip; feast on the purposeful silence. Fast from personal anxiety; feast on unceasing prayer.
He said the traditional practice of fasting, prayer and almsgiving are ways to discipline oneself and to give priority to building intimate spiritual relationship with God- the source and end of everything. He ended the homily with a prayer imploring the Holy Spirit to enlighten, to give wisdom, to change within oneself and to persevere on the journey, to submit and surrender their hearts.
The most important days in the season of ‘Lent’ apart from ‘Ash Wednesday,’ are ‘Palm Sunday,’ ‘Maundy or Holy Thursday,’ ‘Good Friday,’ and ‘Holy Saturday,’ leading to the glorious Easter.