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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
On
Entering Into Lent
"Live This Time of Grace With Interior Joy and Generous Commitment"
H.H. Benedict XVI
February 10, 2008
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Last Wednesday, with the fast and the rite of ashes, we entered into
Lent. But what does it mean to "enter into Lent?" It means to enter
into a time of particular commitment in the spiritual combat that
opposes us to the evil present in the world, in each one of us and
around us. It means to look evil in the face and dispose oneself to
fight against its effects, above all against its causes, right up to
its ultimate cause, Satan. It means not unloading the problem of
evil onto others, onto society, onto God, but recognizing one's own
responsibility and consciously taking it upon oneself.
In this regard Jesus' invitation to everyone to take up his "cross"
and follow him in humility and confidence (cf. Matthew 16:24)
resounds more urgently than ever. The "cross," as heavy as it may
be, is not synonymous with misadventure, with a disgrace that must
be avoided as much as possible, but with the opportunity to follow
Christ and in this way acquire strength in the battle against sin
and evil. Entering into Lent therefore means renewing the personal
and communal decision to face evil together with Christ. The way of
the cross is in fact the only way that leads to the victory of love
over hate, of sharing over egoism, of peace over violence. Seen in
this way, Lent is truly an occasion for determined ascetic and
spiritual commitment founded upon the grace of Christ.
This year the beginning of Lent providentially coincides with the
150th anniversary of the apparitions at Lourdes. Four years after
the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception by
Blessed Pius IX, Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in the
grotto of Massabielle for the first time on Feb. 11, 1858. Other
appearances followed, accompanied by extraordinary events, and at
the end the Holy Virgin, bidding farewell to the young visionary,
told her in the local dialect, "I am the Immaculate Conception." The
message that the Madonna continues to spread at Lourdes recalls the
words Jesus pronounced at the beginning of his public mission and
that we hear again often during these days of Lent: "Convert and
believe in the Gospel," pray and do penance. Let us accept Mary's
invitation, which echoes Christ's, and let us ask her to help us to
"enter" with faith into Lent, to live this time of grace with
interior joy and generous commitment.
We entrust to the Virgin as well the sick and those who care
lovingly for them. Tomorrow, the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, we
celebrate, in fact, the World Day of the Sick. I greet with all my
heart the pilgrims who are gathering in St. Peter's Basilica led by
Cardinal Barragán, president of the Pontifical Council of Health.
Unfortunately I cannot meet them because this evening I will begin
spiritual exercises, but in silence and in recollection I will pray
for them and for all the necessities of the Church and the world. To
all those who will remember me to the Lord I offer my sincere thanks
in advance.
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
[After the Angelus the Holy Father greeted the pilgrims in six
languages. In English, he said:]
I warmly greet all the English speaking pilgrims present at today's
Angelus. I particularly welcome members of the Hohenfels Catholic
Military Faith Community from the United States of America, as well
as young people from the Sant'Egidio community in Asia and Oceania
who are attending a formation course in Rome. My dear friends, this
past week we began our Lenten practice of prayer, fasting, and -- in
a special way -- almsgiving. I invite all believers to enter this
"spiritual battle" with hearts full of generosity towards those in
need. In this way, we learn to make our lives a total gift to God
and to our brothers and sisters. I wish all of you a fruitful
preparation for the Paschal Feast!
© Copyright 2008 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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