By John Dike, Osogbo
As millions of Christians worldwide mark the Ash Wednesday today, the Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev John Oyejola, has urged the faithful to embrace repentance, renew their faith, and deepen their relationship with God as the Lenten season begins.
Delivering his homily at the Ash Wednesday Mass he celebrated at St Benedict Catholic Cathedral Osogbo, Bishop Oyejola reminded the faithful that Lent is a sacred period set aside by the Church for reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal.
He explained that as followers of Jesus Christ, people inevitably fall short of God’s expectations sometimes knowingly and at other times unknowingly — but the season offers an opportunity to return to God with sincere hearts.
According to the bishop, Lent is a time to pause and reflect on the true purpose of life. He said God created humanity out of love and for a purpose — to love Him, to serve Him faithfully, and ultimately to share in eternal life.
Being made in the image and likeness of God, he noted, should inspire believers to live lives marked by integrity, kindness, and compassion.
He stressed that the season calls for honest self-examination, acknowledging that many people engage in actions that contradict God’s teachings. Cheating, dishonesty, and injustice, he said, are attitudes condemned by Scripture because they weaken relationships with God and with one another.
Lent, he explained, is therefore not merely a ritual period but a spiritual journey of transformation.
Reflecting on the significance of the ashes imposed on the foreheads of the faithful, Bishop Oyejola said the ritual serves as a solemn reminder of human mortality and humility.
The words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” he said, invite believers to live with a sense of urgency and purpose, while the call to “Repent and believe the Gospel” challenges them to renew their commitment to God’s word.
The bishop emphasized that the true yardstick of the Lenten season is not only in fasting or giving up comforts but in acts of love and service.
He encouraged Christians to visit the sick, support the needy, forgive those who have wronged them, and extend kindness to everyone. Such actions, he said, are practical expressions of faith and signs of genuine conversion.
He further urged the faithful to dedicate more time to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, describing them as the pillars of the Lenten journey. Participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, he added, offers an opportunity for spiritual healing, while devotions such as the Stations of the Cross help believers meditate on the suffering and sacrifice of Christ.
Bishop Oyejola also highlighted the importance of caring for one’s health during the season, noting that life itself is a gift from God.
He advised those who are unwell to rest and seek proper medical attention, stressing that taking care of one’s body is part of responsible Christian living.
He reassured the faithful of God’s boundless love and mercy, encouraging them not to be discouraged by their weaknesses but to see Lent as a chance for a fresh start.
The bishop called on Christians to use the season to strengthen their faith, rebuild broken relationships, and commit themselves to living according to the Gospel.
“As we begin this holy season,” he said, “let us open our hearts to God’s grace, repent sincerely, and strive to become better disciples through love, prayer, and service.”
The Ash Wednesday celebration marks the beginning of the 40-day Lenten journey leading to Easter, a period during which Christians are invited to deepen their faith and prepare spiritually for the celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
