VANCOUVER—Pope Francis is calling the faithful to drop their indifference and stand up for those who are suffering during this Lent.
“Usually, when we are healthy and comfortable, we forget about others: we are unconcerned with their problems, their sufferings, and the injustices they endure,” he wrote in his Lent message, released Jan. 27.
“This selfish attitude of indifference has taken on global proportions, to the extent that we can speak of a globalization of indifference.”
To dispel this apathy, he encourages churchgoers to become more like Christ by listening to troubled consciences, receiving the sacraments, and being interiorly renewed.
Receiving the Eucharist, “We become what we receive: the Body of Christ. In this body there is no room for the indifference which so often seems to possess our hearts.”
Pope Francis encourages the faithful to strengthen their resolve instead of being indifferent or “caught up in this spiral of distress and powerlessness” when faced with troubling news reports.
The Church in heaven does not ignore the misery of those on earth in order to rejoice, he continued. Instead, it praises Jesus for His definite triumph over all evil, a victory that can fuel our hope.
The Holy Father’s theme for Lent 2015 is “Make your hearts firm.” He encourages the faithful to pray, perform charitable acts, and realize they can’t save the world without God’s grace and help.
He also hoped dioceses around the world would participate in 24 Hours for the Lord, a March 13-14 Lenten event involving the sacrament of reconciliation and adoration of the Eucharist.
“I desire that all those places where the Church is present, especially our parishes and our communities, may become islands of mercy in the midst of the sea of indifference!”
Ash Wednesday this year will be Feb. 18.
