CATHOLIC FAITHWATCH: “Lenten exercises: “Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God” (Jl 2:13)” – Saint Pope Leo the Great, 10th Homily for Lent (SC 49 rev)/DailyGospel
“… although any time is suitable for the exercise of the virtue of charity, it is more especially urged on us by this present season. … those who long to receive the Lord’s Pasch with bodies and souls made holy must strive earnestly to acquire this grace which includes the sum of all virtues and ‘covers a multitude of sins’ (1Pt 4:8). … as we are about to celebrate that most eminent of all mysteries, in which the Blood of Jesus Christ wiped away all our sins, let us first of all prepare to offer the sacrifice of mercy so that, what we have been given by the Mercy of God, we ourselves may show to those who have sinned against us. May wrongs be cast into oblivion, sins not draw down punishment, and may all those who have trespassed against us no longer fear to be repaid in kind ….”