Our Lenten observances often focus on fasting or renouncing something—giving up some favourite foods or entertainment or giving up unhealthy attitudes or behaviours. Personal renewal and spiritual growth are the goals of such practices. However, Lent is not only about our personal renewal but also about caring for our neighbours and surroundings. This year’s Lenten message focuses on our responsibility to make a positive change in the world by helping others and protecting the environment.
Pope Francis’ Lenten message with the theme, Through the Desert God Leads Us to Freedom, encourages us to keep our eyes open to the realities of the world. According to the pope, this reality of the desert refers to all sorts of human suffering and various forms of social and economic oppression.
While acknowledging humanity’s tremendous achievements at levels of scientific, technical, cultural, and juridical development capable of guaranteeing dignity to all, the pope’s message urges all the faithful to undertake an interior examination by asking: “Do we hear that cry of humanity groping about in the darkness of inequality and conflict?”
The Lenten season, according to the pope, calls our attention to the three pillars of Lent—prayer, almsgiving, and fasting—”to pause like the Samaritan in the presence of a wounded brother or sister”, whereby we become more sensitive to one another as companions and fellow travellers.
Cardinal Stephen’s Lenten Pastoral Letter challenges Catholics to consider accompanying and manifesting God’s mercy towards five target categories: those suffering from mental health issues, the youth, displaced persons, people of goodwill, and the created world. The pastoral letter invites every Christian to discern and identify at least one or two of these categories and make it their Lenten commitment to provide these groups with quality accompaniment.
Among the suggested target groups, young people and children with mental health issues gain the top priority, according to Cardinal Stephen. Referring to some studies in 2022, the cardinal points out that one out of four children and adolescents from age six to 17 in Hong Kong suffer from one or more mental health issues. Walking with them and teaching them to cast all their worries on God is critical because they will be responsible for shaping our shared future.
Taking a page from Pope Francis’ teachings, the pastoral letter also discusses the Christian responsibility to welcome refugees or asylum seekers. Could this Lent be the start of a change in our attitudes toward migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers? Can we walk with them in their struggles with finances, the education of their children, hope for an unknown future, a sense of insecurity and social loneliness, and exploitation by criminal syndicates?
In the past, our catechism classes taught us to memorise and practice a list of corporal works of mercy during Lent. The Lenten messages of the pope and the cardinal reiterate the seven biblical imperatives shown in Matthew 25: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, ransom the captive, and bury the dead. “Whatsoever you do unto the hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, sick, and captive, you do unto me.” Jose, cmf
