Blessed Lent Wishes
Rev. Fr. Mothusi Sidney Boatile, OMI, when writing to the Oblates of Lesotho Province regarding Lenten season
Lent is the forty-day liturgical season of Conversion, Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving. These forty days are in Latin known as Quadragesima. The trace of these forty days in the magisterium goes as back as in the Canons of Nicaea (A.D.325), likely in imitation of Jesus’ fast in the desert before his public ministry (cf. Mt.4. 1-11).
Conversion: Tear your hearts and not your clothes, (cf. Joel 2:12 — 13). The General Chapter of 2010 invited us to conversion. There is a need to examine our relationships with God as individuals and as a community. We at times neglect to fulfil our responsibilities towards God, Oblate mission and our sanctification. We concentrate on leading others to salvation and do less about our weaknesses. May we try to shun away from the pessimistic way of looking at others or life as such; let goodness and positivity occupy our hearts and minds.
Fasting: When you fast do not put on a gloomy face (cf. Mt. 6:16). I invite you to do fasting for our spiritual benefit. In our fasting let us promote the spirit of caring and sharing. We deny ourselves what we are at the chance of enjoying so that we can do acts of charity.
Almsgiving: Give alms and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you (cf. Mt.6:4) no one can say that he has nothing to give. We are blessed with many gifts and talents. This is the time to share. Let us remember our fellow Oblates who are less fortunate and share with them the fruits of our labour like farm products, listen to them visit our sick oblates and let charity begin at home.
Prayer: Enter your private room and pray (cf. Mt. 6: 6). Let us pray for our Congregation and our province. Pray for the political leadership of our country Lesotho. Also, let us join with the whole world in asking God to help us with the cure for the coronavirus and all other incurable diseases. I invite you to have personal and or community retreats. Have special prayers for this season.
I wish you all a blessed Lenten season 2020!
