By Charles Igwe
Catholics and other Christians marking Ash Wednesday must embrace true repentance and renewal with God, lest the occasion becomes a meaningless ritual, Archbishop Mathew Ishaya Audu of Jos has cautioned.
In his Ash Wednesday reflection, the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop emphasized the need for genuine remorse and a willingness to do penance during the Lenten season.
“If you do not accept that you are a sinner and you are not ready to do penance during the Lenten period, then there is no need for you to allow yourself to be marked with ashes,” he stated.
He warned that without sincerity of heart, Ash Wednesday becomes “an empty ritual, with no grace of God.” He added, “Ashes are only for those who accept they are sinners and are ready to do penance,” assuring that those who seek reconciliation with God “will receive God’s forgiveness.”
The Archbishop, who has been at the helm of the Jos Metropolitan See since March 2020, also called on the faithful to heed Jesus’ invitation to care for the less privileged as a “sign of repentance and accepting God’s forgiveness at this time of Lent.”
“So, as you begin this Lenten season, ask yourselves: How are you going to respond to this request by Jesus? What plan are you going to put in place to take care of the poor?” he urged.
Archbishop Ishaya further encouraged intensified prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, explaining that fasting is not merely about abstaining from food but about overcoming sinful habits.
“Fasting is not simply a reduction in our food, but the elimination of our evil habits,” he stated. “Fasting is not limited to food alone. Fasting from sin and some bad habits can even be more challenging.”
He lamented that many people find it easier to fast for dieting purposes than for spiritual growth.
The 65-year-old prelate, who previously served as Bishop of Lafia from 2001, described Lent as a time to rediscover a deeper relationship with God and discern where one’s heart is truly directed.
Concluding his message, Archbishop Ishaya prayed for God’s protection over the faithful during the 2025 Lenten season and encouraged them to remain steadfast in the struggle against evil.
