Christians the world over enter into a Season of Lent this week. Those belonging to the Orthodox tradition begin their fast today, and others on Wednesday this week. Through these days the faithful prepare themselves to enter into the experience of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of  Jesus the Christ.

Fasting in Lent is often characterized by its external manifestations of giving up meat, alcohol, cosmetics, ornaments, flashy clothes etc. The central theme of penitence and prayer, thankfully is not always forgotten.

The Commission on Dalits of the National Council of Churches in India, beginning Lent 2009, challenges us to ‘fast unto justice’.  An Introductory Meditation for Lent 2010 (Lenten Campaign for Equality and Justice) can be viewed on the NCCI website http://www.nccindia.in/resources/view.htm?no=132

Beginning February 17, 2010, the Commission on Dalits will post one Lenten Meditation every Wednesday. These Meditations, based on Jesus’ words on the Cross, can be used in the Friday following the day of posting or can be used together on Good Friday.

These Meditations which are at once a call to prophesy repentance and preach reconciliation from the perspective of the excluded, is also on the lines of the theme of Christian Conference of Asia Assembly - ‘Call to Prophesy, Reconciliation and Heal’.

The WCC, WSCF and World YMCA, as part of the programme on Decade to Overcome Violence, have earmarked 2010 as ‘Forty days to end Violence against Women’.

The Ecumenical Water Network has called for ‘Seven Weeks of Water: Holy Water’ which will address the Use of Water in Liturgical practices and ‘our Daily Water’.

Resources on both these global campaigns are posted in the website of the World Council of Churches www.oikoumene.org

As Churches and ecumenical organizations in India, let us observe fast unto equality and justice. Let this be an offering of the Indian ecumenical community along with the global Lenten Campaigns.

May the fast of Lent 2010 call nations to repentance and empower the excluded to negotiate reconciliation.

Rev. Asir Ebenezer
Officiating General Secretary
National Council of Churches in India