Fr Russell Lawrine smear ashes on the parishioners forehead
By Euseclara Suah
Mar 1 2023
BUKIT PADANG – More than 1000 parishioners attended Ash Wednesday Mass at Church of Mary Immaculate Parish on Feb 22. The Eucharistic celebration at 6.30 am was presided by Fr Russell Lawrine.
In his homily, Fr Russell explained that Lent is a Christian journey where the body and spirit undertake spiritual disciplines so as to understand deeper the Easter celebration. He said repentance and believing are the thrusts of conversion and faith.
Expounding the three practices during the Lenten season, he said, “There is no Lent without fasting. We need to fast during Lent to fight against Satan so as to discover the victory of Christ over temptations.”
“Secondly, there is no Lent without praying.” He said Lenten practice of prayer connects them with spiritual life because, “we are body and spirit. We need to pray to discover once again the sins in us and the victory of humility of Christ.”
“Third, there is no Lent without almsgiving. Almsgiving connects us to other people, to those in need.” He reminded the parishioners that it is not only about being good or generous but above all, placing others before oneself.
Fr Russell invited the parishioners to walk a personal inward journey to discover more “what is inside us, what is sinful inside us and what can be washed away by the water of baptism which we shall receive during Easter Vigil.”
Fr Russell ended his homily by urging all, saying “we need to do something during this Lent season so that we can celebrate something during Easter Celebration.”
