Family passed away just because they did it… See more

This year, the Lord grants us, once again, a propitious time to prepare ourselves to celebrate with a renewed heart the great mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the cornerstone of our personal and communal Christian life. We must continually return to this mystery in mind and heart, for it will continue to grow within us to the extent that we open ourselves to its spiritual power and respond with freedom and generosity.

Christian joy springs from hearing and accepting the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This kerygma encapsulates the mystery of a love “so real, so true, so concrete, that it invites us to a relationship of openness and fruitful dialogue” (Christus Vivit, 117). Those who believe in this message reject the lie that our life is ours to do with as we please. Rather, life is born from the love of God the Father, from his desire to give us life in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10). If, on the other hand, we listen to the tempting voice of the “father of lies” (Jn 8:44), we run the risk of sinking into the abyss of absurdity and experiencing hell here on earth, as too many tragic events in personal and collective human experience sadly attest.

In this Lent of 2020, I would like to share with every Christian what I wrote to young people in the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit: “Keep your gaze fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be saved again and again. And when you come to confess your sins, believe firmly in his mercy that frees you from your guilt. Contemplate his blood poured out with such love and let yourself be purified by it. Thus you will be able to be reborn forever” (no. 123). The Passion of Jesus is not a past event; rather, by the power of the Holy Spirit, it is always present, allowing us to see and touch with faith the flesh of Christ in those who suffer.

It is good to contemplate more deeply the Paschal Mystery through which God’s mercy has been granted to us. Indeed, the experience of mercy is only possible in a face-to-face relationship with the crucified and risen Lord, “who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20), in a sincere dialogue among friends. This is why prayer is so important during Lent. More than a duty, prayer is an expression of our need to respond to the love of God that always precedes and sustains us. Christians pray knowing that, although unworthy, we are still loved. Prayer can take various forms, but what truly matters in God’s eyes is that it penetrates deep within us and weakens our hardness of heart, so that we may convert ever more fully to God and his will.

Related Posts

Breaking! Wheel of Fortune host dies at 76! More below!!

connection to Wheel Of Fortune. Gomez Kemp, who died at 76 on October 13, was, per Pop Culture, “the first woman in the world to host a…

Melania’s heartbreaking words to Charlie Kirk’s kids

The news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination has sent shockwaves not just across the country but across the entire world. The news prompted major politicians, including President Donald…

Michael Phelps’ wife is former Miss California – see the pics

Olympic legend Michael Phelps, widely considered one of the greatest Olympians in history, continues to captivate fans not only with his exceptional athletic achievements but also with…

30 Minutes ago in Ohio., JD Vance was confirmed as…See more

The response from the United Kingdom was swift and pointed. British veterans and military figures condemned Vance’s comments, highlighting the 636 British soldiers who lost their lives…

Suspected Kirk Assassin On ‘Special Watch’ Ahead Of Mental Exam

Authorities said Sunday that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, is being held under “special watch” pending a mental health evaluation. Robinson…

Why Jenna Bush Hager’s husband put a ‘lifetime ban’ on daughter returning to ‘Today’ show

enna Bush Hager revealed that her husband, Henry Hager, has barred their eldest daughter from appearing on the “Today” show. Bush Hager explained to E! News on…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *