Together in faith during Lent, Ramadan

MANILA, Philippines — The shared observance of Ramadan and the Lenten season invites Filipinos to “slow down, to return to God and to walk together in faith,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said yesterday.

CBCP Commission on Inter-Religious Dialogue chairman and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo noted that the holy month of Ramadan starts on Feb. 17 and Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is on Feb. 18.

“This shared beginning is a grace. It invites us to slow down, to return to God and to walk together in faith. In these sacred seasons, Muslims and Christians enter a time of prayer, fasting, repentance and generosity. We turn our hearts to the Merciful. We learn again to see one another as brothers and sisters. Our sacred texts call us to peace: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ (Matthew 5:9) and God ‘invites all to the Home of Peace’ (Qur’an 10:25),” Bagaforo said.

He added that Ramadan and Lent remind everyone that faith must transform the heart and shape one’s actions.

“Fasting opens our eyes to suffering and enlarges our compassion. Love of God is proven in love of neighbors, especially the poor and the forgotten. As Jesus teaches, what we do for the least, we do for God (Matthew 25:40). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) likewise taught that the best among us are those who do good for others,” Bagaforo said.

According to him, in Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis speaks of human fraternity and social friendship.

“He reminds us that we are created to live together, not against one another. No one is meant to be excluded. No one is meant to be left behind. This vision of fraternity resonates deeply with both Ramadan and Lent. Peace grows where mutual respect is practiced,” Bagaforo said.

He said in the Philippines, the spirit of fraternity is lived through ‘Alay Kapwa,’ a Lenten offering which means “offering to one’s neighbor.”

“It is not simply an act of charity, but a way of seeing the other as kapwa – one who shares our humanity and our future. Through Alay Kapwa, prayer becomes service and sacrifice becomes hope for communities affected by poverty, conflict, disaster and ecological harm,” he said.

Guided by Pope Leo’s World Day of Peace message, Catholics are reminded that true peace is not built by weapons or fear.

“I therefore invite our Christian and Muslim communities, our inter-religious dialogue desks and our partners in civil society to pray together and to work together. Let us care for the poor. Let us protect creation. Let us educate for peace. Let us respond together to the wounds of our world. These are sacred tasks. These are works of peace,” he said.