# Lent: a time of grace and mercy
*2017-03-16*

> Bill Young reflects on the Lenten messages of Pope Francis regarding the poverty of Christ and our call to be heralds of hope, accompanied by the prayer of the Angelus and the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.

## The Angelus

We begin today with the Angelus, a tradition recited for centuries, especially at noon, to honor the Incarnation of the Son of God and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ and of humanity. Through this prayer, we recall the moment the Angel of the Lord declared to Mary that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. We ask the Holy Mother of God to pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

## The Grace of Christ

Reflecting on Wednesday of the second week of Lent, we look to 2 Corinthians 8:9: 'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.' Pope Francis reminds us that Christ does not reveal Himself through worldly power or wealth, but through weakness and poverty. He emptied Himself to be like us in all things.

Lent is a fitting time for self-denial. In a society often intoxicated by consumerism, narcissism, and extravagance, Jesus calls us to a life that is simple, balanced, and consistent. We should ask ourselves: what can I give up in order to help and enrich others in their own poverty? How can I best imitate Christ's self-denial in my actions this Lent?

## Heralds of Mercy and Hope

For Thursday of the second week, we reflect on Luke 24:47: 'Repentance and forgiveness of sin is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem.' The Gospel is the true antidote to spiritual destruction. As Christians, we are called to proclaim the liberating news that forgiveness is possible, that God is greater than our sinfulness, and that He loves us freely at all times.

We are called to be joyful heralds of mercy and hope, sharing the treasure entrusted to us and consoling broken hearts. By following an intimate Jesus who sought out the poor and the sinner, we can courageously open new paths of evangelization and human promotion.

## The Luminous Mysteries and Intercessions

Continuing our Lenten journey, we pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary: the Baptism of Jesus, the Wedding at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom, the Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Eucharist. These mysteries of light lead us from the hidden life of Nazareth into the public ministry of Christ.

We also offer prayers for the beatification of Frank Duff, who founded the Legion of Mary, and Venerable Adele Quinn. We ask for their intercession for our families and for the return of those who have wandered from the faith.

*Lent is an invitation to imitate Christ's poverty and self-denial so that we may more effectively serve as heralds of God's mercy and hope to others.*