Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2006<br/><br/>
Pope Benedict XVI recently issues the theme of the Lenten season for this year, namely “Jesus, at the sight of the crowds, was moved with pity.” (Matthew 9:36)<br/><br/>
At the beginning, the Pope first states that the Lenten season is the time for us to walk towards the grace of God. Just as it is mentioned in Psalm 23: The Lord leads us out from the valley of darkness to a place of joy, peace, and love. He also quotes from our former Pope John Paul II’s Personal Reflections-Memory and Identity that “divine limit imposed upon evil”.<br/><br/>
The Pope also spends a considerable amount of time on “Populorum Progressio”, because Jesus “is also moved with pity” on our families. He quotes The Encyclical Populorum Progressio of Pope Paul VI that “may the day come when international relationships will be characterized by respect and friendship, when mutual cooperation will be the hallmark of collaborative efforts, and when concerted effort for the betterment of all nations will be regarded as a duty by every nation.” Thus, it brings out the idea of “the primary contribution that the Church offers to the development of mankind and peoples does not consist merely in material means or technical solutions. Rather, it involves the proclamation of the truth of Christ, Who educates consciences and teaches the authentic dignity of the person and of work.”<br/><br/>
The Pope then states that we Catholics should fast, pray, and give alms during the Lenten season, so that it will match Jesus’ spirit of “at the sight of the crowd, (He) was moved with pity.” The Pope also said that “We cannot ignore the fact that many mistakes have been made in the course of history by those who claimed to be disciples of Jesus. Very often, when having to address grave problems, they have thought that they should first improve this world and only afterwards turn their minds to the next.”<br/><br/>
“In experiencing His mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we will discover a ‘gaze’.” ”I commend to her (Mary) in particular the multitudes who suffer poverty and cry out for help, support, and understanding.”