I will listen to the Good News to the death and resurrection of Jesus this Lent

Sunday 8th March 2020

On the second Sunday of Lent, we continue to reflect on Pope Francis’ message for the season.

Christian joy flows from listening to, and accepting, the Good News of the death and resurrection of Jesus. This kerygma/basic proclamationsums up 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). Whoever believes this message rejects the lie that our life is ours to do with as we will. Rather, life is born of the love of God our Father, from his desire to grant us life in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10). If we listen instead to the tempting voice of the “father of lies” (Jn 8:44), we risk sinking into the abyss of absurdity, and experiencing hell here on earth, as all too many tragic events in the personal and collective human experience sadly bear witness.

This Lent, I would like to share with every Christian what I wrote to young people: “Keep your eyes fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be saved over and over again. And when you go to confess your sins, believe firmly in his mercy which frees you of your guilt. Contemplate his blood poured out with such great love, and let yourself be cleansed by it. In this way, you can be reborn ever anew” (CV23). Jesus’ Pasch is not a past event; rather, through the power of the Holy Spirit it is ever present, enabling us to see and touch with faith the flesh of Christ in those who suffer.

I will listen to the Good News to the death and resurrection of Jesus this Lent by…..

Do I have a crucifix in my home, my office, around my neck, on my person? From time to time I will look upon the crucifix or touch it and say: “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, for by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”

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