"Lent is a time of renewal for the whole Church, for each communities and every believer. Above all it is a 'time of grace' (2 Cor 6:2). God does not ask of us anything that he himself has not first given us. 'We love because he first has loved us' (1 Jn
4:19). He is not aloof from us. Each one of us has a place in his
heart. He knows us by name, he cares for us and he seeks us out whenever
we turn away from him. He is interested in each of us; his love does
not allow him to be indifferent to what happens to us. Usually, when we
are healthy and comfortable, we forget about others (something God the
Father never does): we are unconcerned with their problems, their
sufferings and the injustices they endure… Our heart grows cold. As long
as I am relatively healthy and comfortable, I don't think about those
less well off. Today, this selfish attitude of indifference has taken on
global proportions, to the extent that we can speak of a globalization
of indifference. It is a problem which we, as Christians, need to
confront.
"When the people of God are converted to his love, they find answers to the questions that history continually raises. One of the most urgent challenges which I would like to address in this Message is precisely the globalization of indifference.
"Indifference to our neighbour and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians. Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience.
"God is not indifferent to our world; he so loves it that he gave his Son for our salvation. In the Incarnation, in the earthly life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, the gate between God and man, between heaven and earth, opens once for all. The Church is like the hand holding open this gate, thanks to her proclamation of God's word, her celebration of the sacraments and her witness of the faith which works through love (cf. Gal 5:6). But the world tends to withdraw into itself and shut that door through which God comes into the world and the world comes to him. Hence the hand, which is the Church, must never be surprised if it is rejected, crushed and wounded."
As we begin our Lenten journey, Pope Francis offers a message of encouragement for our reflection, with specif focus on three Scripture references: "If one member suffers, all suffer together" (1 Cor 12:26), "Where is your brother?" (Gen 4:9), and "Make your hearts firm!" (James 5:8).
To access the Holy Father's complete message, please visit:
Message of Pope Francis for Lent 2015: Make your hearts firm (James 5:8)
"When the people of God are converted to his love, they find answers to the questions that history continually raises. One of the most urgent challenges which I would like to address in this Message is precisely the globalization of indifference.
"Indifference to our neighbour and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians. Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience.
"God is not indifferent to our world; he so loves it that he gave his Son for our salvation. In the Incarnation, in the earthly life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, the gate between God and man, between heaven and earth, opens once for all. The Church is like the hand holding open this gate, thanks to her proclamation of God's word, her celebration of the sacraments and her witness of the faith which works through love (cf. Gal 5:6). But the world tends to withdraw into itself and shut that door through which God comes into the world and the world comes to him. Hence the hand, which is the Church, must never be surprised if it is rejected, crushed and wounded."
As we begin our Lenten journey, Pope Francis offers a message of encouragement for our reflection, with specif focus on three Scripture references: "If one member suffers, all suffer together" (1 Cor 12:26), "Where is your brother?" (Gen 4:9), and "Make your hearts firm!" (James 5:8).
To access the Holy Father's complete message, please visit:
Message of Pope Francis for Lent 2015: Make your hearts firm (James 5:8)
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