By CHRISTINE.
Christians across the world today are observing Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the forty days of fasting leading to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.
At St. Charles Lwanga Town Parish in Fort Portal City Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Ronald Musigunzi Atwoki who led the 9:00am mass, urged Christians to understand the true meaning of the Lenten season.
Fr. Ronald emphasized the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and charity. He explained that fasting is not only about abstaining from food, but about making meaningful sacrifices that bring Christians closer to God, just as Jesus spent time in the wilderness.
He cautioned believers against pride and showing off while fasting or giving charity, noting that such acts should remain a personal sacrifice between an individual and God.
The priest further called upon Christians to resist sin and turn away from evil practices such as witchcraft, jealousy, hatred, and the use of vulgar language. He stressed that repentance is important for everyone — the young, the youth, adults, and the elderly alike.
Fr. Ronald encouraged the faithful to forgive one another, live according to Christian teachings, and use their time on earth wisely, reminding them that human beings are pilgrims in this world.
He also reminded Christians of the significance of the ashes used on Ash Wednesday, explaining that they are obtained from burning palm leaves blessed during the previous year’s Palm Sunday. The ashes symbolize that “from dust we came, and to dust we shall return.”