Lent season : Anglican Bishop enjoins Christians to fast beyond food, control desires

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

 The Bishop on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Anambra State, the Rt. Rev.Owen Nwokolo, has called on christians to embrace a deeper, more meaningful observance of the Lenten Season by fasting not only from food and drinks but also from worldly desires and sinful habits.

Delivering his homily at the Calvary Chapel, GRA, Onitsha, on Wednesday, to mark the Ash Wednesday, Bishop Nwokolo emphasized that God is more concerned about inward transformation rather than outward religious display.

 “Not the outward show, but the inward disposition of the heart is what God is looking for,” he said, adding that during the Lent, God searches for men and women with sincere and contrite hearts.

 Describing Ash Wednesday as the symbolic beginning of Jesus Christ’s 40 days of Passion before His crucifixion, the bishop explained that ash signifies penitence and human frailty. 

“Ash reminds us that we are mere dust. When the spirit leaves the body, the flesh collapses. The flesh constantly fights our spirituality,” he remarked.

 According to him, the ash placed on the foreheads of believers serves as a weight, symbolizing the burden of worldly attachments, while the Spirit of God empowers christians to overcome such burdens.

Bishop Nwokolo warned that unchecked desires often pushed people beyond the bounds of reason, leading to numerous atrocities in society. 

 “Desire makes us go beyond reasonability. Many wrongdoings are rooted in uncontrolled desires,” he said.

He urged christians to use the Lenten period to reassess their lives, align their priorities with God’s will, and lay up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. 

  “As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. Humility on your part will make God lift you,” he stressed.

  The bishop further clarified that fasting should not be limited to abstaining from food alone but should include denying oneself other bodily attractions and pleasures.    

 “Always control your body; do not allow your body to control you. When you fast, do not try to impress people but to please God,” he admonished.

He encouraged the faithful to forgive others, change their perception of reality, deny themselves certain valuable comforts, and consciously curtail what they eat during the season.

 Bishop Nwokolo left the congregation with two key take-home messages: to seek God with humility and righteousness, and to realign their priorities in accordance with God’s purpose.

Highpoints of the Ash Wednesday service included the administration of Holy Communion and the imposition of ash on the foreheads of worshippers.