In Pope Francis’ first general audience, he shared, “(L)iving Holy Week, following Jesus means learning to come out of ourselves … in order to go to meet others, to go towards the outskirts of existence, to be the first to take a step towards our brothers and our sisters, especially those who are the most distant, those who are forgotten …”
Lent will lead to Holy Week before we know it. Mid-Lent is a great time to reflect on how we are taking steps toward loving God by supporting our families, communities and global family. How have our prayers, fasting and almsgiving enabled us to come out of ourselves and meet others who may have been forgotten by us and society?
During Holy Week, we’ll remember that when Jesus was apprehended, his disciples fled. This story can be a reminder of attitudes we may still hold today. We are members of the same human family, but we can turn a blind eye to the suffering of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers. Jesus reminds us that what we do to the least among us we do to Him.
Throughout salvation history, many have understood what it means to be merciful toward people who are suffering. Jesus himself shows this mercy by dying for all of us suffering from sin and death. The Stations of the Cross give us other examples: a bold woman moved by love who wipes His face, a bystander who helps carry the cross, the beloved disciple at the foot of the cross who promises to care for Jesus’ mother as his own, and a wealthy man who offers his own new tomb to bury Jesus. All were forever transformed by their experiences.
These are unquestionable examples of the works of mercy – of hearts showing compassion to those in need. And that is what Jesus expects of us – that we offer our hands and hearts to others so that with Him we may enter into eternal life.
Lent is a time of preparation. As Catholics, our Lenten spiritual pillars are prayer, fasting and almsgiving that help guide us in daily reflections as we strive to deepen our relationship with God and neighbor – no matter where in the world that neighbor lives. Lent ultimately leads us to Easter and our hope of the resurrection. We are called to share that hope with every member of our local and global human family.
As we continue our Lenten journey to Easter, I challenge you to reflect on how your sacrifices and actions might draw you closer to God and transform another’s life.
An annual, ready-made opportunity is Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl, which has been a staple on Catholic families’ tables since 1975. Rice Bowl uses Jesus’ teaching and Catholic Social Teaching (CST) to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity in our own neighborhoods and around the world.
Like CST, Rice Bowl’s foundational principle is the life and dignity of the human person. We are all made in God’s image and likeness. This means that every human being has a special value, purpose and transcendent destiny. CST challenges us to care for each other so we can be the people God calls us to be and to live in communion with Him.
Rice Bowl also focuses on preferential option for the poor and vulnerable. This principle reinforces Jesus’ teaching to give special care to those who are most in need. Jesus showed us time and again that our Christian duty is to listen closely to those who often go unheard and to help those who are the most vulnerable; for in doing so, we minister to Christ.
Our neighbors live across the street and the country, across oceans and hemispheres. As millions of God’s children flee war, persecution and poverty, Pope Francis, Caritas Internationalis, Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services invite you to share their journeys by walking with them in prayer and support.
Remember that our diocese has a program that uses our 25 percent of all Rice Bowl donations to support local soup kitchens and food pantries that usually don’t qualify for grant money or civil support.
I pray for the grace we all need to realize that by sharing the cross of others we become servants of salvation. I also pray that your Lent be fruitful and I offer the following:
Holy God, be with us now as we meditate on your Son’s journey to Calvary. Remind us that still, in this present day, many of your children continue that walk to Calvary, carrying heavy, difficult crosses. May we be Simon to those whose burdens are too heavy to be borne alone. May we be Veronica to those who need the touch of love and comfort. And may we, struggling with our own crosses, always remember your promises of justice, mercy and peace. Amen
We fast so that others may feast! For more information about CRS Rice Bowl, go to: www.crsricebowl.org or contact me at [email protected].
