The Lenten journey

"Repent, and believe in the Gospel" (Mk 1:15). These words of Jesus set the tone for the beautiful liturgical season of Lent, begun on Ash Wednesday.

The Church has set out for Easter. It is a journey of penitence, or of a deep review of our life. We are called to examine our practical acceptance of the Gospel, knowing that even before it offers us a plan of life, it is news, indeed, as the very word "gospel" means, good news.

It is the news that God loves us and in His Son who became human has shown us his solidarity, redeeming us from sin and death. Thus the Gospel is a message of liberation, joy, meaning and fullness of life. But whoever takes this message seriously must also make the commitment to a new life, inspired by Gospel values. It is a question of moving from a superficial life to deep interiority, from selfishness to love, of striving to live according to the model of Christ himself. It is a question of a fundamental choice:

"I choose to love - rather than to hate. I choose to smile - rather than frown. I choose to build - rather than destroy. I choose self-denial and self-mastery - rather than immoral slavery. I choose fidelity - rather than adultery. I choose to persevere - rather than escape. I choose to praise - rather than gossip. I choose to heal - rather than wound. I choose to give - rather than grasp. I choose to act - rather than delay. I choose to forgive - rather than curse. I choose to pray - rather than despair. I choose to trust God - rather than ignore Him." (Bible Alive, January 2008, p.50).

To help us in this effort, the Church points out to us a path that can be summarised in three words: Prayer, fasting, almsgiving.

Prayer can have many expressions, personal and communal. But we must above all live its essence, listening to God who speaks to us, conversing with us as children in a "face to face" dialogue filled with trust and love. (John Paul II).

In addition to being an external practice, fasting, which consists in the moderation of food and lifestyle, is a sincere effort to remove from our hearts all that is the result of sin and inclines us to evil as proposed to us by Satan.

Almsgiving, far from being reduced to an occasional offering of money, means assuming an attitude of sharing and acceptance. We only need to open our eyes to see around us so many brothers and sisters who are suffering materially and spiritually. Thus Lent is an another strong invitation to solidarity.

Mary, Full of Divine Grace, Queen of Sorrows and Refuge of Sinners, will support us during our joyful Lenten journey and will accompany us by her loving gaze to review our life sincerely in the light of the Gospel and be truly prepared for the mystery of Easter, the greatest feast of the Church's liturgical year.