Heartbreaking News, Hopeful Response
Amid the darkness of a world that sometimes shocks us with violence—like the tragic story of a father destroying his own family—we are reminded of how desperately humanity needs healing, hope, and redemption. These terrible events challenge us to look deeply into the meaning of life and faith.
And so, this year, once again, God graciously offers us a sacred time to reflect, renew, and reconnect with the heart of our Christian journey: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This mystery is not just history—it is the very foundation of our personal and shared lives as believers. It is through opening our hearts to this divine gift that we are transformed.
The Source of True Joy
Christian joy doesn’t come from comfort or control. It flows from embracing the Good News—that Jesus died and rose for us. His love is not vague or abstract; it’s real, personal, and life-changing. As Christus Vivit reminds us, it calls us into a relationship filled with truth and dialogue.
To believe in the resurrection is to reject the lie that life is ours to manipulate. Life is a gift from the Father, who desires nothing more than for us to live abundantly (John 10:10). When we ignore this, we fall prey to false promises, to the “father of lies” (John 8:44), risking a kind of living hell on earth.
Rediscovering Mercy This Lent
In this Lenten season, I echo the words I once addressed to young people: Keep your eyes fixed on Christ crucified. Let His love save you—again and again.
When you confess your sins, trust in His mercy. Let His blood, poured out in love, cleanse and renew you. This isn’t just a memory of the past—it’s a living invitation. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ’s Passion is present here and now, especially in the suffering of others.
Prayer: More Than a Ritual
Lent is a time to pray—not out of obligation, but out of desire. Prayer is how we answer the love that always comes first. Whether whispered, shouted, or silent, it should come from the depths of our hearts. True prayer softens us, reshapes us, and draws us closer to God’s will.
Let This Be the Moment
Like ancient Israel led into the desert, we too are being called away from distractions so we can hear God’s voice more clearly. Don’t let this holy season slip away. Don’t fall into the illusion that we can “schedule” our conversion. God is calling now.
God Still Speaks—Will You Listen?
God never tires of reaching out to us. Even amid the pain, the confusion, and the evil in the world and in our own hearts, God continues to speak. In Jesus, who became sin for our sake (2 Cor 5:21), the Father bore our burdens to keep the conversation of salvation open. As Pope Benedict once said, He even turned “God against Himself” out of love for us.
This is no empty talk. This is no spiritual cliché. Unlike the Athenians who craved only novelty (Acts 17:21), we are invited into a life-changing relationship with the crucified and risen Lord.
Sharing the Gift, Healing the World
To center our lives on the Paschal Mystery means recognizing Christ in the wounded of today: the victims of war, the unborn, the elderly, the marginalized, the trafficked, the oppressed, and even the exploited environment.
We’re called to go beyond compassion—we’re called to action. Giving, sharing, and building justice is how we live out the Gospel. Hoarding shrinks the heart; charity expands it. That’s why this Lent includes a gathering of young economists and changemakers in Assisi—to reimagine a world shaped by justice, mercy, and the Beatitudes.
Let Mary Guide Us
May the Blessed Virgin Mary help open our hearts to God’s call. Let this Lent be a time of true reconciliation, deep reflection on Christ’s sacrifice, and honest dialogue with our Savior.
Let us become, as Jesus asks, the salt of the earth and the light of the world.