Lent is a favorable time for letting Christ serve us so that we in turn may become more like Him.
It is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good.
Let those desert places in our hearts bloom.
Before I give you a blessing, I ask you for a favor: I want you to bless me.
Our infinite sadness can only be cured by an infinite love.
Don’t let anyone rob you of hope.
It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about.
Poverty that is learned with the humble, the poor, the sick and all those who are on the existential peripheries of life. Theoretical poverty is of no use to us. Poverty is learned by touching the flesh of the poor Christ, in the humble, the poor, the sick, in children.
I think of the difficulties which, in various countries, today afflicts the world of work and business; I think of how many, and not just young people, are unemployed, many times due to a purely economic conception of society, which seeks selfish profit, beyond the parameters of social justice.
I wish to extend an invitation to solidarity to everyone, and I would like to encourage those in public office to make every effort to give new impetus to employment, this means caring for the dignity of the person, but above all I would say do not lose hope...
Human life, the person is no longer perceived as a primary value to be respected and protected, especially if poor or disabled, if not yet useful – such as the unborn child – or no longer needed – such as the elderly.
Dear brothers and sisters, the Church loves you! Be an active presence in the community, as living cells, as living stones.
It means caring for one another in our families: husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents.
Let’s not be naive, we’re not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.
A simple lifestyle is good for us, helping us to better share with those in need.
Are our lives truly filled with the presence of God? How many things take the place of God in my life each day?
Let us learn from the Virgin Mary how to be bolder in obeying the word of God.
God’s love is unbounded. It has no limits.
Today is my anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. Please pray for me and all priests.
Saint John Paul II, pray for us and especially for our youth.