A Season of Drawing Closer to God
Fellow Guyanese, especially our brothers and sisters here at home, in the diaspora, and our Christian brothers and sisters in the family of humanity.
For those Christians that observe the season of Lent, this is a period of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Lent is a time of spiritual discipline, marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
This 40-day journey, inspired by Christ’s own time in the wilderness, calls on believers to turn away from sin and draw closer to God. It is a time for self-examination, for deepening one’s faith, and for embracing a spirit of humility and sacrifice. Through acts of charity and kindness, Christians reaffirm theircommitment to love each other as Christ has loved them. Indeed,this love extends beyond the embrace of Christians; it is a love for humanity, a love for our neighbours, and a love that prevails over everything else.
Some persons voluntarily deny themselves earthly comforts. But, Lent, we are told, is not merely about giving up something; it is about making space in our hearts for God’s grace. It is an opportunity to strengthen one’s faith, to find solace in prayer, and to renew one’s commitment to living a life of righteousness and compassion.
May this Lenten season be a time of transformation for all who observe it. May it deepen their relationship with God and with each other! May it foster unity, forgiveness, and love among our brothers and sisters in Christ.
May the lessons of Lent also transcend the spiritual realm. May these lessons be adhered to by all of us in the family of humanity—the lessons of love, forgiveness, self-sacrifice, and charity. May we also care for each other, live positive lives and contribute positively to our society and our world, workingtogether for the good of all humanity. May these teachings and lessons of Christ inspire us to be better, inspire us to act better,and to do our bit individually and collectively in embracing and building a humanity that is enriched by the period of Lent.
I wish all those who are observing Lent, a meaningful and spiritually enriching season. May God’s blessings be upon you now and always! May God’s blessings be upon us as a nation, uplifting us to be better citizens and contribute in a greater way to the prosperity of each other.
God bless all of you.
