The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia, Most Rev Dr David Ajang, has counselled christians and the muslim ummah to use the simultaneous observance of Lent and Ramadan as a time for deep spiritual reflection and national purification.
In his Ash Wednesday homily, Bishop Ajang reflecting on Matthew 6:1-6; reminded believers that, “Your father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Bishop Ajang noted that this year’s Lent, a 40-day season of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in preparation for Easter, coincides with the Muslim Ramadan fast, creates a unique opportunity for peace and unity in Nigeria.
“Lent emphasises fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Fasting has to do with reduction in the quantity and quality of food. The Muslims reduce eating to only once a day. Some Christians abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays, while others fast from social media, football, or other pleasures,” he said.
He stressed that prayer must be central to fasting and almsgiving.
“Without prayers, fasting and almsgiving will have no meaning. You are called to weaponise prayer in this period to improve your relationship with God and your neighbours,” he said.
On almsgiving, Bishop Ajang urged believers to be charitable, beginning at home. “This period emphasises almsgiving. Be charitable. It should begin at home and not just outside,” he noted.
Reflecting on the rare coincidence of Christian and Muslim fasting starting on the same day, Bishop Ajang said, “We have had such a coincidence in the past and I think that for it to come again this time, I think we have quite a lot to learn from that. For me, that is pitching the two dominant religions in the country side by side.”
“Most of us claim to either be Christians or Muslims. Being that, at this season we have both the Christians fasting and then the Muslims fasting. For me, that tries to remind us of the need for purification. Don’t forget that fasting is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end. We don’t fast for fasting’s sake, we fast in order to make ourselves better.”
Bishop Ajang emphasised that the objective of fasting must be achieved challenging Nigerians to move beyond ritualistic prayers.
“All the prayers we needed to do for this country have been done. I think we should internalise the teachings of our faith. That is what it calls for. Sometimes all of these prayers become like a smokescreen, which is used to conceal evil.”
“It is sad to state that, but if you look at the amount of prayers, there is no shortage of prayers in this country. Go to the mosques on Friday, go to the churches on Sunday, go and meet us at our places of work. All of us carry religion on our heads. But it goes beyond that,” Bishop Ajang said.
He, therefore called on both religions to live out their religious teachings for peace and unity of the country.
