LENT—A TIME FOR FORGIVENESS

Mar 30, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

We are in the season of lent. Lent is the start of the holiest period on the Christian calendar. The Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday or the season of Lent. According to three books in the bible, Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured Satan.
Lent originated as a mirroring of Christ’s fasting. It is a period of fasting, abstinence, repentance, prayer, moderation and spiritual discipline. It is a season of reflection and positive change as well as a time for believers to get closer to God in preparation for the grand celebration of Easter. During the six weeks of fasting, every Sunday is seen as a commemoration of the Sunday of Christ’s resurrection, and so it is a day on which fasting is inappropriate. Accordingly, Christians fasted from Monday to Saturday during six weeks from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter Sunday.
During lent most believers tend to give up something and take up a positive habit until the period ends. Religious or not, the citizens should adopt this not only for lent, but throughout their lives. There is so much to improve in one’s life but neither time nor space would permit a complete list, so let us focus on what took place during the first two months of 2017.
Immediately, the high number of road accidents and fatalities stand out. There has been an increase in traffic fatalities and accidents. The authorities have been doing their best to reduce accidents and deaths on the roads, but it is the responsibility of drivers and pedestrians to obey the traffic ordinances rules, including no use of cell phones while driving and adhering to the road signs and rules such as no speeding and no drinking and driving.
The government also has the duty to maintain proper roads and tighten laws to deter reckless and errant drivers and careless pedestrians.
There is also gang violence, armed robberies and senseless murders which defy logic. One life lost is one too many. All Guyanese must seek to resolve their conflicts without the use of weapons and should stand against those bent on reaping havoc on society with their life of crime and violence. Although it is the responsibility of the government to protect each citizen, it cannot do so without the help of the people.
It is said that cleanliness is next to godliness. Our roads, gullies, canals, waterways, communities, should be kept clean at all times. However, many citizens have little regard for how they dispose of their garbage. Littering is downright nasty, but it is the practice of many who are irresponsible.
Everyone should abide by the simple principles of the three R’s – reduce, re-use and recycle. This will definitely cut down on the amount of waste being thrown away.
Lent is also a time for us to give up something. The authority needs to give up its failed policies and embark on new ones to tackle the nation’s problems. We are faced with an economic and currency crisis, high crime and unresolved unemployment rates. There is low production in some areas which the government must confront head on.
However, lent is the time for the national leaders to repent, forgive and to reflect on their priorities. They must put aside their biases and partisan politics. We must pray for a better Guyana.

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