OPPORTUNITY FOR RENEWAL AND CONVERSION

In his Lenten Message for 2025, Pope Francis invites us to join him on a spiritual journey with the theme “Let us Journey Together in Hope.” This theme connects with the celebration of the Jubilee Year, which is all about being “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Pope’s message unfolds in three key points:

     a)    Journeying in Faith

First, Pope Francis encourages us to view life as a pilgrimage, similar to the Israelites' journey from slavery to the Promised Land. He urges us to reflect on our faith journey and warns against stagnation caused by fear or sin. Lent is a time for conversion, inviting us to leave behind harmful behaviours and strengthen our deeper relationship with God. He also highlights the challenges faced by modern migrants and refugees, reminding us of the struggles the Israelites encountered. This prompts us to consider our own lives and find ways to lend a helping hand to those in need. 

b)    Journeying Together As A Community

Secondly, he emphasises the importance of journeying together as a community. The Pope highlights that Christians should not walk alone but remain united in faith and love. He encourages a spirit of synodality, where we support one another and move away from self-centeredness. It is a call for all of us – whether bishops, priests, religious, or laypeople – to consider how to build community instead of causing division. True discipleship means opening our hearts to others, especially those who might feel marginalised.

c) Journeying With Hope in God’s Promise

Finally, Pope Francis speaks about journeying in hope, firmly grounded in the profound reality of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He invites us to take a moment to reflect on our trust in God’s mercy and promises. Hope should not be passive; instead, it should inspire us to take meaningful actions that promote justice, community, and care for our beautiful planet.

Let us entrust this journey to Mary, Mother of Hope, praying that she may guide us as we prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter.

An Extract from the Lenten Message 2025 of Pope Francis

This year, our Lenten journey coincides with two special months for our Muslim friends: Ramadhan, a time for fasting and spiritual renewal, and Shawwal, which celebrates Hari Raya Aidilfitri, marking the end of fasting. As they focus on fasting and renewal, we, too, embrace Lent through fasting, penance, and almsgiving, leading to the meaningful celebrations of Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum. This shared journey emphasises our spiritual renewal and deepens our understanding of each other’s faith.

This Lenten season is a special time for experiencing grace, especially during this Jubilee Year of Hope. It offers a perfect opportunity for renewal and conversion as we embrace the amazing outpouring of God’s mercy. Let’s walk this journey together, holding onto hope and trusting in God’s grace to celebrate Easter with refreshed hearts!