CATHOLIC FAITHWATCH: “Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2018 Released; [‘Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold’ (Mt 24: 12)]” – VaticanVa 11.1.17
“Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (Mt 24: 12) … the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in His Providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a ‘Sacramental Sign of our Conversion’ … to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth. * * * More than anything else, what destroys charity is greed for money, ‘the root of all evil’ …. The rejection of God and His Peace soon follows … What are we to do? … devoting more time to prayer … Almsgiving sets us free from greed and helps us to regard our neighbour as a brother or sister. … Fasting weakens our tendency to violence … an important opportunity for growth. … experience[ing]what the destitute and the starving … endure. … express[ing] our own spiritual hunger and thirst for life in God. Fasting wakes us up. It makes us more attentive to God and our neighbour. It revives our desire to obey God, who alone is capable of satisfying our hunger. … I urge the members of the Church to take up the Lenten journey with enthusiasm, sustained by almsgiving, fasting and prayer. If, at times, the flame of charity seems to die in our own hearts, know that this is never the case in the heart of God! He constantly gives us a chance to begin loving anew. …”
Click here for: “Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2018, 06.02.2018; [‘Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold’ (Mt 24: 12)]” – Vatican.va 11.1.17
Additional Links & Resources:
“Pope Francis releases 2018 Lenten message: Full text” – Vatican Radio
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-francis-lenten-message-2018.html
“Pope Francis: ‘Come back to the Lord with all your heart during Lent’
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-francis-lent-message-2018-cold-hearts.html
“This Lent, revive your enthusiasm for the faith, Pope says” – CNA
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/this-lent-revive-your-enthusiasm-for-the-faith-pope-says-16801
“Pope Francis releases Lenten message” – CNS/Arlington Catholic Herald
https://www.catholicherald.com/News/National___International/Pope_Francis/Pope_Francis_releases_Lenten_message/
“This Lent, Pope Francis invites us to reject ‘false prophets’; The pope’s 2018 Lenten message is released” – OSV
https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/Perspectives/Columnists/Article/TabId/797/ArtMID/13632/ArticleID/24159/This-Lent-Pope-Francis-invites-us-to-reject-false-prophets.aspx
“Pope Francis’ Message for Lent 2015; ‘Make your hearts firm'” – OSV
https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/Faith/Article/TabId/720/ArtMID/13628/ArticleID/16821/Pope-Francis-Message-for-Lent-2015.aspx
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