By Fr. Isaac Ojok, Communications Office, Lira Diocese
Barogole, Lira Diocese- February 22, 2026
The Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok, Bishop of Lira Diocese, on Sunday 22th February 2026 urged Christians to rediscover their true identity in God and to resist temptation by choosing life in Christ, as he presided over the Eucharistic celebration for the First Sunday of Lent at his residence, Nazareth Family Centre, Barogole.
In his homily themed “From the Garden to the Desert and Choosing Life,” Bishop Wanok reflected on the spiritual journey from the Garden of Eden to the desert where Jesus faced temptation, describing the biblical scenes as “mirrors in which we see our own lives.”
From Dust to Dignity
Drawing from the Book of Genesis, the Bishop reminded the faithful that human beings are both fragile and sacred. “We are dust, fragile, weak, limited. But we are also God’s breath — sacred, dignified, loved,” he said, noting that Lent begins with the humbling but hopeful reminder of Ash Wednesday: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
He cautioned that sin begins when people forget their identity as creatures dependent on God. “We are creatures, not gods. We are receivers, not masters of life,” he emphasized.
The Root of Temptation: Distrusting God
Reflecting on the fall of Adam and Eve, Bishop Wanok said temptation often begins with doubt. According to the Bishop, sin promises fulfillment but ultimately leads to shame, fear, and hiding from God. “Sin always promises more, but delivers less,” he told the congregation.
Christ the New Adam
Referencing the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Bishop Wanok highlighted the contrast between Adam’s disobedience and Christ’s obedience. While sin entered the world through one man, he noted, grace has overflowed through Jesus Christ.
“Sin is real, but grace is greater,” he proclaimed, describing this as the central hope of the Lenten season.
He drew a striking comparison between Adam and Jesus: “Adam said yes to temptation in a garden full of food. Jesus says no to temptation in a desert of hunger. This is the turning point of history.”
The Three Areas of Temptation
The Bishop explained that Jesus’ temptations in the desert, bread, spectacle, and power, reflect the same struggles faced by believers today: attachment to comfort, pride and self-promotion, and the desire for control without obedience to God.
He noted that Jesus overcame temptation not through displays of power, but through trust in the Father and fidelity to the Word of God.
Lent as Spiritual Medicine
Encouraging practical commitment during the 40-day season, Bishop Wanok described prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as “medicine for the soul.”
“These are not punishments,” he said. “They restore trust in God, free us from slavery to appetite, and break the grip of selfishness.”
Quoting Psalm 51, he called on the faithful to seek a clean heart, a steadfast spirit, and restored joy in salvation, stressing that God desires “not perfect people, but repentant hearts.”
A Message to All
Addressing different groups in society, the Bishop challenged young people to seek meaning beyond pleasure and popularity, encouraged families to rebuild prayer and forgiveness in their homes, and reminded leaders to pursue service over power.
To those struggling or wounded, he offered reassurance: “Christ has already entered your desert.”
A Call to Choose Life
Concluding his homily, Bishop Wanok urged Christians not to see Lent as a season of guilt, but as a time of renewed hope.
“From Adam to Christ, from failure to grace, from temptation to victory, God is offering us again what was lost in the Garden: friendship with Him,” he said.
The First Sunday of Lent marks the beginning of the Church’s 40-day spiritual preparation for Easter, inviting the faithful to deeper conversion and renewed commitment to God.
End
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