Lent 2025 brings a powerful and inspiring message from Pope Francis, urging us to embrace conversion, solidarity, and hope in the face of adversity. In his traditional letter for this season of reflection, the Pope emphasizes the importance of seeking true freedom in Christ through penance and renewal.
According to Pope Francis, Lent is a time to look inward and reflect on our relationship with God and others, aiming for a profound conversion that touches the core of our being. He highlights the significance of prayer and fasting as essential practices during Lent, not only as personal exercises but as ways to open ourselves to the needs of those around us.
Solidarity, as emphasized by the Pope, should be more than just a concept but a daily practice. He calls on us to be attentive to the needs of others, especially in a world marked by inequalities, and encourages concrete actions to help those most in need. Pope Francis asserts that true fasting involves opening our hearts to others, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable.
In conclusion, Pope Francis encourages us to hold onto hope amidst the challenges of the world, reminding us that Lent is not just a time of sacrifice but also a time of hope in the resurrection. He urges Christians to live Lent intensely, becoming instruments of peace, fraternity, and justice, as we rediscover the beauty of the Gospel and draw closer to God and our fellow human beings.
Full Text:
Let us walk together in hope
Dear brothers and sisters,
We embark on our Lenten journey with faith and hope, as we reflect on the imposition of ashes and prepare to celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death. Pope Francis, in the spirit of the Jubilee Year, shares reflections on the theme of “journeying together in hope” and the call to conversion that God extends to each of us.
The Pope invites us to consider the idea of journeying, drawing parallels between the biblical exodus of the people of Israel and the modern-day migrations of individuals seeking a better life. He challenges us to reflect on our own journey in life, asking whether we are truly moving forward or standing still in fear or complacency. Lent offers us the opportunity to examine our lives and make changes that align with our pilgrimage towards God.
Furthermore, Pope Francis stresses the importance of journeying together as a community, emphasizing the need for unity and solidarity. He calls for a synodal approach, where Christians walk alongside each other, supporting and caring for one another on the path towards God. This Lent, the Pope urges us to consider how we can better walk together with others, listening, and showing genuine love and compassion.
In closing, Pope Francis encourages us to journey together in hope, holding onto the promise of eternal life given to us by God. As we navigate the challenges of the world, let us embrace this Lenten season as a time to deepen our faith, strengthen our relationships, and embody the values of peace, fraternity, and justice.
The Hope That Does Not Disappoint
As we embark on our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us focus on the central message of the Jubilee – the hope that does not disappoint (cf. Rom 5:5). This message, as Pope Benedict XVI reminds us in his Encyclical Spe Salvi, speaks to the human need for unconditional love and the certainty that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:38-39).
Christ, our hope, has risen and reigns in glory, transforming death into triumph. Our faith and great hope as Christians lie in the resurrection of Christ!
This Lent, let us heed the call to conversion – a call to hope, to trust in God’s promise of eternal life. Do we truly believe in the forgiveness of our sins, or do we try to save ourselves? Do we long for salvation and seek God’s help in attaining it? Are we filled with hope that guides us in interpreting history, inspires us to pursue justice, care for our common home, and include everyone?
Thanks to God’s love in Jesus Christ, we are sustained by a hope that does not disappoint (Rom 5:5). This hope, as the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul,” moves us to pray for the salvation of all and to eagerly anticipate our unity with Christ in heaven.
As we journey through Lent, may the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, intercede for us and accompany us along the way.
Rome, Saint John Lateran, 6 February 2025
Memorial of St Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs.
FRANCIS
May the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope, intercede for us and accompany us on our Lenten journey.
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