February 21, 2021 - "Pope Francis' Lenten Message for 2021"

On November 11, 2020, Pope Francis released his Lenten message for 2021.  He invites us to remember the One who “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).  He encourages us to renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and receive with new hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, as preached by Jesus, enable and express our conversion.  The path of poverty and self-denial (fasting), concern and loving care for the poor (almsgiving), and child-like dialogue with the Father.  These make it possible for us to live lives of sincere faith, living hope, and effective charity.
 
Faith calls us to accept the truth and testify to it before God and all of our brothers and sisters.
 
Pope Francis reminds us that accepting and living the truth revealed in Christ means, first of all, opening our hearts to God’s word that the Church passes on from generation to generation.  He comments that fasting helps us to rediscover God’s gift and to recognize that as we are created in His image and likeness we find our fulfillment in Him.  Since fasting aids us in recognizing our own poverty, it helps us to love both God and neighbor.  Pope Francis sees Lent as a time for believing and welcoming God into our lives and allowing Him to make His dwelling in us.
 
Hope as “living water” enabling us to continue our journey.
 
Pope Francis compares the virtue of hope to the “living water” that Jesus promises the Samaritan woman at the well.  The woman was expecting physical water.  Jesus, however, was promising the Holy Spirit who is given to us through the Paschal Mystery.  Pope Francis understands that it may seem challenging to speak of hope in these troubled times when everything seems fragile and uncertain.  Yet, he claims, Lent is precisely the season of hope when we turn back to God.  During Lent, he challenges us to be increasingly concerned with speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation, and encouragement.  We should avoid words that demean, sadden, anger, or show scorn.  In order to give hope to others, it is sometimes simply enough to speak a word of encouragement, to listen amid general indifference.  Hope, he says, is given to us as inspiration and interior light through recollection and silent prayer.  The experience of hope in Lent, Pope Francis tells us, means receiving the hope of Christ who gave His life on the Cross and was raised by God on the third day.
 
Love, following in the footsteps of Christ, in concern and compassion for all, is the highest expression of our faith and hope.
 
The Holy Father claims that love is a leap of the heart, which brings us out of ourselves and creates bonds of sharing and communion.  He emphasizes the need for “social love” in order to build up a “civilization of love.”  He continues by saying that love is a gift that gives meaning to our lives.  It helps us to see all men and women as our brothers and sisters.  A small amount, if given in love, never ends, but becomes a source of life and happiness.  Such is the case with our almsgiving, whether it is small or large, when it is offered with joy and simplicity.

Pope Francis explains that experiencing Lent with love means that we will care for those who suffer or feel abandoned or fearful because of the Covid-19 pandemic.  We should keep in mind the Lord’s word to his Servant, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah 43:1) in these days of deep uncertainty about the future.
 
After Pope Francis tells us that every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping, and loving, he continues with these words:
“The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer, and sharing of our goods, helps us—as communities and individuals—to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father.”
 
He concludes his Lenten message for 2021 by asking Mary, Mother of the Savior who is ever faithful at the foot of the Cross and in the heart of the Church, to sustain us with her loving presence.  He also prays that the blessing of the risen Lord accompany all of us on our journey toward the light of Easter.
 
Until next week,
Fr. John