Christians from all walks of life have commenced the lent period, just as Christ did for forty days and nights, Rev. Fr. Joseph Mukiibi, Director of Communications and Public Relations at the Kampala Archdiocese, has reminded the faithful to deepen their spiritual commitment.
In an interview with Daily Star Uganda, Fr. Mukiibi urged Christians, especially Catholics, to intensify their prayer life during the Lenten period, describing it as a time of reflection, sacrifice, and spiritual renewal.
“We are in beautiful season, the season of Lent, a season of grace for all of us. Lent is a spiritual school where we encounter the Divine with devotion, commitment, and pure love,” Fr. Mukiibi noted.
According to the Catholic Church, Lent is a 40-day liturgical season of spiritual preparation for Easter, focused on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It begins on Ash Wednesday and liturgically ends on Holy Thursday evening, commemorating Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert.
Rev. Fr. Mukiibi encouraged the Christian faithful to reflect deeply during this Lenten season by changing their attitudes and mindset, and placing greater emphasis on the true meaning of Lent. He described it as a period of religious fasting, humility before God, and a call for believers to turn away from sin and selfishness.
“Its aim is nothing less than helping us become more loving persons , loving God above all and our neighbor as ourselves. Its purpose, therefore, is the transformation of our entire being: mind, body, and spirit. We must consciously understand the spirituality of Lent if we are to benefit spiritually, morally, and socially. A change of attitude and mentality, and a deeper understanding of our relationship with God, is essential for all of us,” he added.
Fr. Mukiibi further noted that Lent is an important period for humanity. While primarily observed by Christians, he acknowledged that other religions also embrace seasons of fasting and spiritual reflection. He emphasized that righteousness must go hand in hand with faithfulness, reminding believers that just as God is righteous, they too are called to remain faithful to Him.
He also called upon Christians to move from the ordinary to the extraordinary by strengthening their relationship with God through prayer and improving their relationship with their neighbors. This, he explained, can be achieved through observing the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
While explaining these pillars, Fr. Mukiibi said prayer strengthens one’s relationship with God, fasting promotes self-denial, self-control, and discipline, and almsgiving reflects faith and love in action. He urged Christians to turn away from sinful ways in order to fully benefit from the fasting season, just as Jesus did in the desert.
“A good Christian, especially a Catholic, is expected to intensify their prayer life, practice self-denial, self-control, and self-mastery which is fasting and embrace almsgiving. The more you give, the more you demonstrate your faith in action. Almsgiving is love in action. The three pillars are very important for all of us,” he emphasized.
Commenting on exemptions from fasting, Fr. Mukiibi clarified that children, the sick, and elderly persons above 65 years are generally discouraged from fasting, as they are considered vulnerable.
He concluded by emphasizing that devoted Christians should emerge from Lent as transformed individuals. Lent, he said, is meant to bring about conversion what the Church calls metanoia, meaning a complete change of heart and mind.
“After Lent, we expect a change in attitudes, mentality, and relationship with God. We have experienced many challenges, including political difficulties. This is a time for reconciliation with God and with one another. Ultimately, Lent is about reconciliation,” he said.
