Oyo, 28 February, 2022 / 9:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of Nigeria’s Oyo Diocese has urged Christians to observe Lent, saying failure to take part in the 40-day period characterized by prayer, fasting and almsgiving undermines the “authentic power and identity” of Christianity.
In his reflection ahead of this year’s Lenten Season shared with ACI Africa Monday, February 28, Bishop Badejo says the observance of Lent “speaks to the relationship between Jesus Christ and Christians which should really be of friendship and authentic love.”
“Christians simply cannot be taking only what is pleasant in Christianity like pleasure and prosperity and leaving aside the salvific suffering, fasting and prayer part. To do so is to empty Christianity of its authentic power and identity,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop says about the Christian observance set to begin with Ash Wednesday, on March 2.
Like true friends and lovers who desire to share each other’s sorrows and joy, he says, "Christians who are truly friends of Jesus must desire to experience what he experienced, to share his life and live in his love."
“If we celebrate only Christ’s glory and victory, how can we participate in his mission and salvation?” Bishop Badejo poses in his reflection titled, “Lenten observances, another look.”