Karachi Church urges faithful to consider God's plans during Lent – not their own

Karachi, Pakistan, Mar 3, 2015 / 02:03 am

The Archdiocese of Karachi, based in Pakistan's largest city, held a Lenten seminar last month to help the faithful there revitalize their faith life and to meaningfully prepare for Easter.

"The participants were invited much more intensely to recognize the great mercy of God and the great love of God; to consider God's plans for them, rather than focus on what they could do during the 40 days of Lent," Fr. Arthur Charles, director of the Karachi archdiocese's Catechetical Center, told CNA Feb. 28.

"The event was envisioned to explain the meaning and significance of the Lenten season, and above all to educate and enrich the spirituality of the faithful," he added.

The Feb. 21 event themed "Jesus Christ died so that we may live" drew scores of people from across the archdiocese to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Karachi's Saddar neighborhoods. The seminar was organized by the Catechetical Center together with St. Paul's parish.

Fr. Charles explained that at the core of the program was the concept of "defeating evil, the evil-one (Satan), and how to extend God's love to others."

Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi, and his predecessor Archbishop Evarist Pinto, together with the priests, religious and  laity joined in singing Lenten hymns led by St. Paul's Parish Choir, and a prayer session led by Shauket Barkat, a lay member of the same parish.

Archbishop Coutts congratulated the efforts and in his message to the participants said, "This programme of the (Catechetical) Centre has called us to use the season of Lent to examine our relationship with God as we prepare for Easter."

Among the speakers, Saleem Edward, a catechist from St. Paul's parish, presented a reflection based on the Gospels according to Matthew and John stressing man's redemption for sin for eternal life. He emphasized that "Christ came to save his people from their sins."

Edward said: "Christ's death was designed to provide for more than forgiveness of past sins … the ultimate cleansing of life from every sinful practice was the goal of his earthly mission."

Fr. Charles said the high note of the program was a short play written and directed by Sunil Michael, an active member of St. Paul's. The play portrayed an array of current situations in the country and life of the Church that paradoxically struggle between good and evil in the society.

Sunil Michael himself portrayed 'the adversary (Devil), which enthralled the people with the message that evil can never overcome good, and that God is all powerful over Satan."

Asif Nazir, a catechist, recounted to CNA the importance of short plays as a medium that easily connects a message to the lives of the people.

"Plays and skits have a tremendous effect to capture and educate the audience, and therefore they are a popular medium in helping children and village folk, especially the uneducated, in the dioceses," he said. "The interpreted message touches each person and lingers in their mind, which helps in converting their heart."

Archbishop Emeritus Pinto said that "As portrayed tremendously well in the short play … our Lenten practices should prepare us to reject Satan, all his works, and all his empty promises and to make a deep act of faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

He added that Lent has a "radically baptismal" character and that the "renewal of our baptismal promises is the goal of Lent, and all our Lenten activities should move us toward this goal."

Fr. Charles thanked the community of St. Paul's for their support, including in particular its priests, Fr. Nazar Nawab and Fr. Asif Saleem.

Fr. Charles concluded: "Yes, Jesus Christ died for us and we must be thankful beyond measure; however, he died so that we may live, not just live but to live for him, through our words, actions, thoughts and being."