Katsina, 15 February, 2024 / 9:01 pm (ACI Africa).
“True religion requires an honest heart and a change of heart”, the Local Ordinary of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Katsina has said and cautioned the people of God against delinking honesty and religious practices during this year’s Lenten Season.
In his Lenten and Valentine’s Day reflection obtained by ACI Africa on Wednesday, February 14, Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa says that people have mistaken religion “as a demonstration of symbols and rituals” rather than practices that engage the heart.
Over time, is has become “common for religious people to play to the gallery by displaying popular acts of piety that will make them appear deeply religious,” Bishop Musa observed, adding, “The danger of acting to the gallery is the tendency to disconnect religion from a sincere heart and becomes an outward appearance that leaves the heart out.”
Referring to Ash Wednesday Readings that highlight the essence of Lent, with Jesus cautioning against the display of acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, the pioneer Bishop of the Nigerian Catholic Diocese that Pope Francis erected last October says that the receiving of ashes a reminder that “true religion is a matter of the heart”.
He goes on to say this year’s Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day happening on the same day is not a coincidence, but rather “providential because it reminds us about the deep connection between love and the heart.”
