Be Artisans of the Charity of Christ

As I enter the final days of my journey this year through Lent I have been call to reflect on the writings of Pope John Paul II. He has given me tremendous insights and lesson upon which I have been called to reflect. An this one I share with you.




"Those who believed shared all things in common; they would sell their property and goods, dividing everything on the basis of each one's need' (Acts 2:44-45)

These words of St. Luke arouse a great echo in my heart, in this liturgical season of Lent. Lent is a period of precious weeks, offered by the Church to all Christians, to help them to reflect on their profound identity as children of the Heavenly Father and brethren of all mankind, and to find new vigor for concrete, generous sharing, because God himself has called upon us to base our lives on charity.

Our relationships with our neighbor are of capital importance. And when I say 'neighbor,' I obvously mean those who live beside us, in the family, in the neighborhood, in the town or village, in the city. But it also means those with whom we work, those who are suffering, are sick, know lonliness, are really poor. My neighbor is also all those who are geographically quite distant, or who are exiled from their own countries, are without, lack food and clothing, often lack liberty.

My neighbor is all those unfortunates who have been completely or almost ruined by unforseeable and dramatic catastrophes, which have thrown them into physical and moral want, often enough also into the sadness of losing their dearest ones. Lent is truly a pressing apeal from the Lord for personal and communitarian interior renewal, prayer and return to the sacraments, but in acts of charity as well,through personal and collective sacrifaices of time, money and goods of all kinds, so as to meet the needs and succor the troubles of our brethren in the world.

Sharing is a duty which no one of good will, above all no disciple of Christ, can evade." (November, 1981,Insegnimente di Giovanni Paolo II)

And so I reflect on what I have done as this Holy Season comes to Glorious celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I must remind myself, though Lent is a season only once a year...I am called upon by the Gospel to PRACTICE as if Lent were all year long...I often fail to do that!!!

Resolve: I will make every effort to "give" at all times.