Pope Benedict emphasized that at the core of Lent is the recognition of the transformative power of Baptism
Benedict XVI served as the bishop of Rome and the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013.
Before his papacy, Benedict had a notable career as a theologian and as the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Citing his advancing age, he made history in 2013 by becoming the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.
During his pontificate, Benedict XVI bequeathed a remarkable legacy through his three encyclicals and numerous speeches worldwide.
In this column, we shall highlight the 2011 Lenten Message of Benedict VII which showcased his faithfulness to the true teachings of the Catholic Church and his ardent defense of Sacred tradition.
Thus, in the 2011 Lenten message to the faithful, Benedict XVII reflected:
“The Lenten period is a sacred time in the Church’s calendar, leading up to the joyous celebration of Holy Easter. During Lent, believers engage in spiritual practices such as prayer, charity, and self-reflection to purify their souls and draw closer to the profound mystery of Christ’s redemption.
“The Lenten period, which leads us to the celebration of Holy Easter, is for the Church a most valuable and important liturgical time, in view of which I am pleased to offer a specific word in order that it may be lived with due diligence.
“As she awaits the definitive encounter with her Spouse in the eternal Easter, the Church community, assiduous in prayer and charitable works, intensifies her journey in purifying the spirit, so as to draw more abundantly from the Mystery of Redemption the new life in Christ the Lord.”
For Benedict XVI, during the period of Lent, believers are invited to deepen their encounter with Christ through Scripture.
Each Sunday of Lent offers profound Gospel readings that illuminate different aspects of Christian initiation, prompting believers to reflect on their faith journey and prepare for the resurrection of Christ at Easter, the pope added.
Central to the Lenten experience are the practices of fasting, alms giving, and prayer.
Fasting encourages believers to detach from material desires and focus on spiritual nourishment, fostering a spirit of generosity and selflessness.
Alms giving reminds believers of God’s primacy and the importance of sharing with those in need, counteracting the temptation of materialism and greed. Prayer becomes a means of deepening one’s relationship with God, providing hope for eternal life and guiding believers through the Lenten journey.
According to Benedict, “In our journey, we are often faced with the temptation of accumulating and love of money that undermine God’s primacy in our lives.
“The greed of possession leads to violence, exploitation and death; for this, the Church, especially during the Lenten period, reminds us to practice alms giving – which is the capacity to share.”
He highlighted how the “idolatry of goods . . . not only causes us to drift away from others, but divests man, making him unhappy, deceiving him, deluding him without fulfilling its promises, since it puts materialistic goods in the place of God, the only source of life.”
Indeed, Pope Benedict asks: “How can we understand God’s paternal goodness, if our heart is full of egoism and our own projects, deceiving us that our future is guaranteed?”
We are tempted to think, just like the rich man in the parable: ‘My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come…”
We are all aware of the Lord’s judgment: “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul…”
The practice of alms giving is a reminder of God’s primacy and turns our attention towards others, so that we may rediscover how good our Father is and receive his mercy.
In sum, Pope Benedict emphasized that at the core of Lent is the recognition of the transformative power of Baptism, where believers are initiated into the death and resurrection of Christ.
This sacrament is a gift of divine grace, emphasizing that eternal life is not earned through human efforts but freely given by God.
Lent provides an opportunity to rekindle the spiritual significance of Baptism, guiding believers on a journey of renewal and conversion akin to the catechumenate process of the early Church.
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