As we come together on this solemn day of Ash Wednesday 2025, we stand at the threshold of the sacred season of Lent. This is a time for introspection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. It is a period that calls us to examine our lives, seek forgiveness for our shortcomings, and recommit ourselves to a path of righteousness and compassion.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day journey that mirrors Jesus Christ’s time of fasting and prayer in the wilderness. The ashes we receive on our foreheads symbolise our mortality and our humble acknowledgment that we are in need of God’s grace.
The words spoken as the ashes are applied, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” serves as a powerful reminder of our human frailty and the fleeting nature of our earthly existence.
This day should encourage us to embrace a spirit of humility and penitence. It invites us to reflect on our actions, attitudes, and relationships, and to seek ways to align our lives more closely with the teachings of Christ to the society.
Lent is a time for deepening our faith through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. It is an opportunity to turn away from sin and to open our hearts to the transformative power of God’s love.
As we embark on this Lenten journey, we must also confront the pressing challenges that face our nation. Among these challenges, the issue of drug abuse stands out as a significant threat to the well-being of our people and the future of our country.
The scourge of drug addiction is a multifaceted problem that demands a comprehensive and compassionate response from all sectors of society.
Drug abuse has devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. It contributes to a range of social problems, including crime, poverty, and the erosion of public health.
The impact on our youth is particularly concerning, as they are often the most vulnerable to the lure of substance abuse. Peer pressure, lack of opportunities, and the influence of drug traffickers can lead young people down a dangerous path that compromises their potential and their future.
To effectively address the drug crisis in Fiji, we must adopt a “holy’stic” and holistic approach that encompasses prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and community support.
This requires the collaboration of government agencies, law enforcement, healthcare providers, religious organisations, and community groups. Together, we can create a supportive environment that empowers individuals to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives, by fostering open and honest conversations about the risks associated with drug use, we can equip our youth with the knowledge and resilience to make informed choices.
As a nation with deep spiritual roots, our faith can play a significant role in addressing the challenges we face. The teachings of our religious traditions emphasise the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and support for those
