Renew faith this Lenten season, says Pope Francis

IN his message for Lent this year, Pope Francis calls on the faithful to “renew our faith, draw from the living waters of hope and receive with open hearts the love of God.”
Pope Francis focused on the three theological virtues in his Lenten message for this year, inviting the faithful to “renew our faith, draw from the living waters of hope and receive with open hearts the love of God”.
Grounding his reflection on the Paschal Mystery, the Pope said: “This Lenten journey is even now illumined by the light of the resurrection, which inspires the thoughts, attitudes and decisions of the followers of Jesus.”
He said that the journey of conversion through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving “makes it possible for us to live lives of sincere faith, living hope and effective charity”.
“Accepting and living the truth revealed in Christ means, first of all, opening our hearts to God’s word,” Pope Francis said.
“Through fasting, experienced as a form of self-denial we are able to rediscover God’s gift and recognise that, created in His image and likeness, we find our fulfilment in Him.
“Fasting, too, by helping us recognise our own poverty, helps us to love both God and neighbour.
“Lent is a time for believing, for welcoming God into our lives and allowing Him to make His dwelling in us.”
Pope Francis related the virtue of hope to the ‘living water’ that Jesus promised the Samaritan woman at the well.
“This is not the physical water the woman is expecting, but rather the Holy Spirit who is given through the Paschal Mystery,” he said.
The Holy Father emphasised the need for “social love” in building up “a civilisation of love”.
“Love is a gift that gives meaning to our lives,” he said.
“Love helps us to see all men and women as our brothers and sisters.
“Charity is multiplied when given with love, as we see not only in the Scriptures, but in our own lives, too, when we give alms with joy and simplicity.
“(This is) to experience Lent with love.”
He said this meant caring for those who suffered or felt abandoned because of the Covid-19.