Pope Francis has recently asked us not to waste this coming season of Lent.
With Ash Wednesday upon us and the Year of Mercy underway, what kind of wastage might Francis be wanting us to avoid? The Pope’s 2016 Lenten message is clear:
We are called to be concrete signs of God’s closeness and forgiveness to those around us. Francis gives us encouragement to take time this Lent to listen and to practice. The listening is to and for God’s word, especially encountered in the flesh of the crucified Christ.
Christ reveals himself in the poor, suffering and those in need of welcome and belonging. The practice can involve overcoming compassion fatigue, being prophetically courageous in addressing injustice and seeking forgiveness for closing doors on or refusing to see the poor.
Ash Wednesday liturgies remind us to turn away from sin and return to the Gospel. The ashes we receive symbolise our need and desire for God’s mercy. The Gospels reveal to us that Christ is God’s mirror of mercy.
Walking the road of Lent with Jesus to Good Friday is a call to conversion: away from closed doors and hearts and toward practices of love that set the world free.
Intergenerational playgroups are truly something special — an experience that enriches the lives of both the young and the older members of our community. These playgroups are more than just a space for children to play; they are a vital platform for different generations to come together, share wisdom, and build meaningful relationships.
