We begin this season of Lent with the surprise announcement
of Pope Benedict XVI’s imminent resignation from office. Suddenly the world’s
media has turned its attention to the question of who will the cardinals elect
as the new pope next month. For us
Catholics this is not a mere curiosity but a critical period of
transition in the Church’s leadership for which we need to pray in sincerity of
heart. I appeal for you to keep this intention continually in your prayers until
the Lord blesses us with the new pope.
Christ the Lord was
tempted and suffered for us. Come let us adore him. This verse is recited
throughout the season of Lent. It invites us to be constantly aware that the
Lord Jesus Christ offered up his suffering and death on the cross out of love
for us, for our salvation, for all humanity, so that we can convert from our
sins, receive forgiveness and live in God’s grace and love. It is only in this
saving grace of the Lord that we are able to be reconciled and be at peace with
one another as well.
The season of Lent is therefore not a time for pointing
fingers at the sins of others nor for condemning others because of their guilt.
On the contrary, we as followers of Christ,are called to remain in communion
with the Lord who was tempted and
suffered for us. In other words, grateful for God’s mercy in our own lives,
we likewise pray for the conversion of sinners and offer up our difficulties in
communion with the suffering of Christ in the firm hope that those who are in
most need of God’s mercy may indeed experience the joy of conversion and
reconciliation with Christ and his Church.
This spiritual warfare is not so easy for us to do. We are
all naturally inclined towards praying for good people only and doing good only
for people who deserve it. But the Spirit of the Lord Jesus in our hearts urges
us to pray for the wicked man to turn
from his evil and live (Ezek 18,32). Yes, we are called to pray for the
conversion of those people who naturally repel us – people we would rather
avoid and forget about like murderers, rapists, thieves, adulterers, drug
pushers and addicts and all kinds of wicked people.
But it is only by remaining in communion with the Spirit of
Christ who was tempted and suffered for
us that we become people of real hope in a world that is so easily
overwhelmed by wickeness and evil. It is so easy for us to internalise the
violence in our society and world and to wish as much evil on others as we see
being perpetrated in our midst. Let us unite in faith and fight our spiritual
battle together with all the saints and martyrs in heaven and with our Blessed
Mother Mary. Let us walk her path of faith to the foot of the Cross of Jesus
and say: “Holy Mary, pray for us, and especially those sinners in the world who
are lost in the darkness of their wickedness; pray for us now and at the hour
of our death.”
God bless you all
Bishop Joao Rodrigues
Tzaneen
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