By Habtamu Abrdew Beture
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| His Eminence Berhaneyesus D. Cardinal Souraphiel C.M. Catholic Archbishop of Addis Ababa Archdiocese |
His Eminence Berhaneyesus D. Cardinal Souraphiel C.M. Catholic Archbishop of Addis Ababa Archdiocese, urges the Catholics and people of good will living in Ethiopia to pray for a conversion of heart of people in his Lenten message of this year.
“We are all sinners in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness,” he says as he emphasized that conversion of heart is the invitation of God our Father.
“Lent is a special time for penance and repentance in response to God’s invitation for renewal and conversion of heart through prayer, good works and sacrifice in the midst of a secular culture of materialism, individualism and religious indifference,” he adds.
He asksPeople to forgive each other and be instruments of peace in the nation.
“Let us take keen interest in this gracious moment of blessings and in sincerity of heart ask for God’s forgiveness for our sins; let us be ready to forgive others and live in love as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who completely poured himself out for love of us. Penance helps us to grow; it brings us into more intimate contact with Christ, enlarging our capacity for His love.”
He reminds all Christian families that Lent is an opportunity to unite and strengthen the spiritual life.
“This sacred Season of Lent is a great opportunity for families to spend more time together; to pray together; to share the Word of God; and to teach their children the meaning of Lent and the importance of making sacrifices.
Cardinal Berhaneyesus continues by saying that Lent is not a Season to stay closed at home; rather, it is a Season to go out of ourselves and be available for the service of others. Almsgiving reminds us that we should not live for ourselves, but for God and for our neighbor. We are stewards, not masters, of God’s many blessings, and by sharing the very gift of ourselves and our resources we increase our capacity for sharing as Christ does—without measure.
Almsgiving is not just an act of giving but it is also guarding ourselves from consuming possessions which are not belongs to us.
According to the Oriental Churches Tradition the Ethiopian Catholic Church Lent Season starts on February 24, 2019, therefore Easter will be on April 19.
