Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We started the Season of Lent with the ceremony of the imposition of ashes that reminds us of the fragility of our life with the words “remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” and Jesus’ invitation “repent, and believe in the Gospel” (Mk 1, 15).
Pope Francis’ message:
This year Pope Francis dedicates the Lenten message to the theme of the goodness of God’s creation. This is to make us more aware of the power of sin that is destroying creation, but a creation that has been regenerated and completely renewed through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The invitation of Pope Francis addressed to all of us as God’s children, creatures freed from the corruption of sin, is for us to become partners in his creation. “If the person lives as a child of God, if he lives as a saved person who lets the Holy Spirit guide his life (Rom 8:14) and knows and practices God’s law, beginning with the law written in his heart and in nature, this person transforms the creation with his goodness, he cooperates with his redemption.”
Reflecting on the Pope’s message, let us celebrate and live this season of Lent to discover again “the destructive force of sin” … “the sin that has ruptured the communion with God, which has caused damage to the harmonious relationship of human beings with the environment in which they live, in such a way that the garden has been transformed into a desert.” (Gen 3, 17-18)
The Lenten period of God’s Son was an entrance in the desert of creation so as to transform it again into the garden of communion with God as it was in the beginning … “the way to celebrate Easter invites us to renew our face and heart as Christians, through repentance, conversion and forgiveness, so that we can live all the richness of grace of the Paschal Mystery.”
Some considerations and questions from the Message of Pope Francis:
Brothers and Sisters, I offer you some questions that will enable you to practice the signs of conversion, a program of concrete activities for the environment where we all live and work. It is commendable that in parishes, schools and homes, there is an opportunity to engage in some Lenten actions inspired by the message of Pope Francis.
How can we be God’s partners in his creation? How can we restore its splendor and change the desert of our world making it a garden again?
Lent provides us the possibility of becoming God’s partners in his creation by practicing fasting, prayer and almsgiving.
Aware of what is happening nowadays in our world, in our islands and specially to our brothers and sisters in Venezuela, let us practice some signs of solidarity:
The first sign is to collect groceries/food items to help the needy. I enjoin the parishes and schools to participate in this activity, like placing a basket or a box in the church where the children can bring food items (that do not spoil easily) to help the needy families. In line with this activity I encourage specially the children and young people preparing for first Communion and Confirmation to do works of charity as a manifestation of their faith.
Another sign of popular piety is the Way of the Cross, which we can promote in our Diocese in different settings and places, like in the barrios. Along with this practice we enjoin the participation in the Eucharistic Celebration (Mass) of every Sunday and the reading of God’s word through “lectio divina” in schools by all the teachers and students.
Another activity that helps us practice the “culture of encounter” is the priest’s visit and blessing of family homes with holy water. This is a tradition that other Catholic countries perform during the Easter season. It is a Paschal sign of renewal of our faith through the water blessed during the Easter Vigil.
Brothers and Sisters, let us live our faith by following the message of Pope Francis to transform the desert of our world into a garden of charity. Let us start with ourselves practicing mercy and forgiveness. Saint Teresa of Calcutta said: “You are what you give.”
May Mother Mary help us to be the good neighbors to those in need by sharing our material and spiritual goods with them.
Your servant in Jesus and Mary,
Luis A. Secco, SDB
Bishop of Willemstad
