Lent Archives - Lutgard Musiime

We are 3 months into the new year and I don’t know how the year is moving for you but from where I sit, so far so good. I have been consistent with our #DateWednesday, a promise I made as we began the year and I couldn’t be anymore happier. Women’s month is here.

March is also known as Women’s Month, a month set aside to celebrate women and also raise awareness for issues surrounding the female gender that ought to be highlighted. The highlight of Women’s month is International Women’s day that is celebrated annually on 8^th March. This day has been celebrated since 1911 with many countries all over the world celebrating with demonstrations, educational initiatives, and customs like presenting women with gifts and flowers. The theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias. Follow from wherever you are.

Women's day theme

Since time memorial, society and culture had placed women at the rear and the more women attained education and civilization became big, the more women demanded a seat on the table. Inequalities that were long in existence began to be looked into intentionally and this has not stopped since then. (Thank God). Whereas this empowerment has been a good thing, in the 21 century we are battling with balancing the empowerment of females versus the lack of empowerment for the boy child. But this is not why I am here today. It is Women’s month and by virtual of being a woman myself, I ought to celebrate my very own the way I know-how.

Be ready for content that is focused on empowering, uplifting, and informing girls and women on aspects all nutrition. It goes without question the role females play in bringing forth life and let alone bringing up this life. Many a time the life of a child is dependent on the choices made by women. The health of a family can thrive or collapse based on the choices a woman will make in her home.

What this means is that if we can empower women to make informed nutrition choices, we may begin to see a tremendous shift in the nutrition of our children, families, and a nation at large. It has for long now been my life purpose to be a source of life-changing information, especially in nutrition. Please engage with my content this whole month and let me take charge of our nutrition health.

Women's month

It is going to be a busy month because March is also National Nutrition Month. What a timely combination. I am ready, are you?

Christians world over are beginning their Lenten period and I would like to wish each one of you a spirit-filled and fruitful season as you prepare for the risen king. Remember the three pillars of this season which are PRAYER FASTING ALMS GIVING. I wish you the very best and let us continue praying for each other.

See you next Wednesday.

St Paul writing to the Galatians in Chapter 6 verses 14 says; “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

World over this 26th day of February 2020 marks the beginning of the lent period in the Catholic church. A time for serious, disciplined self-examination, a time spent in intensive prayer and repentance before the cross of Calvary. Not that these things do not and should not happen all the days of our lives but the church with divine wisdom sets apart this time as a reminder for perhaps something that has been forgotten or watered down. It is a time for preparation for the celebration of the risen Lord on Easter.

This day is popularly known as ASH WEDNESDAY and one of the most significant things that happen on this day aside the celebration of mass is the administration of ashes on the forehead of every christian. This always reminds me of the book of Ezekiel, Chapter 9:3–6 where he writes “The glory of the God of Israel rose from above the winged creature where it had been, towards the threshold of the Temple. He called to the man dressed in linen with a scribe’s ink-horn in his belt and Yahweh said to him, ‘Go all through the city, all through Jerusalem, and mark a cross on the foreheads of all who grieve and lament over all the loathsome practices in it.’ I heard him say to the others, ‘Follow him through the city and strike. Not one glance of pity; show no mercy; old men, young men, girls, children, women, kill and exterminate them all. But do not touch anyone with a cross on his forehead. Begin at my sanctuary.’ So they began with the old men who were in the Temple.” As I moved to work and I saw all these people walking with their foreheads marked it brought me immense joy that I cannot begin to explain. Just the thought of identifying someone who understands this season and time was a sweet balm on my heart.

As the priest marks one’s fore head, he says the following words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This mark is a visible symbol of penance. This calls me to humility and is a constant reminder for me that I am mere dust. It is only prudent to treat my neighbor in a manner I want to be treated. Like dust, my life can be out in a blink of an eye regardless of what I have or look like. The things of this world that seem so important and precious will one day be no more, they will not matter at all. What a reality check that each of us needs time and again!

The first reading today was taken from Joel 2:12–18, He urged us to tear not our garments but our hearts and come back to God for he is compassionate; which spells out the gist of the season, a time to seek repentance, like the prodigal son to come back to our senses and return to the father’s house. The gospel reading from Matthew 6:1–6, 16–18 gave us guidelines on how to fast and the major highlight for me is to have reason and purpose as I pray and fast in this season. Not because it is the season or to show off to anyone but a time to get closer to my savior like never before. Not forgetting the 3 major pillars of this season which is PRAYER, FAST, ALMS GIVING.

Catholics have been accused of being too traditional and conservative but I tell you the seasons that the church put in place remind us of these important aspects of our spiritual livelihood that we may perhaps have missed if the seasons were not in place. It makes me so happy to be a part of the universal church. I love my Catholicism and I can confidently say, I AM PROUD TO BE CATHOLIC

I wish you a fruitful lent period, a season of stretch.

Lent

Women’s month

Proud to be Catholic