To Make ‘A Good Lent’

Wednesday, 6 March marks the beginning of the Season of Lent during which time we prepare ourselves and our lives for the celebration of Easter.

In his message for Lent 2019, released on the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, 4 October 18, Pope Francis has chosen an environmental theme, entitling it, “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19)”. While his message addresses the traditional practices of Lent – fasting, prayer  and almsgiving, his message this year makes clear the interconnection between humanity and all creation. How we see ourselves, how we behave, impacts on people, other creatures and our planet. Lent is a call to change our ways.

In writing of sin, the Pope says:

“Sin leads man to consider himself the god of creation, to see himself as its absolute master and to use it, not for the purpose willed by the Creator but for his own interests, to the detriment of other creatures.” He continues, “The sin that lurks in the human heart (cf. Mk 7:20-23) takes the shape of greed and unbridled pursuit of comfort, lack of concern for the good of others and even of oneself. It leads to the exploitation of creation, both persons and the environment, due to that insatiable covetousness which sees every desire as a right and sooner or later destroys all those in its grip.”

There are a number of resources available to assist us each to “make a good Lent” that take as their theme our responsibility to care for our environment.

Here are three you might choose from:

Eating Simply from the Global Catholic Climate Movement
Add a day of plant-based meals to your diet this Lent, or strive to eat only plant-based meals throughout the Lenten season.

• Details are on their website here

LOAF for Lent inspired and promoted by the Green Christian movement
In our dealings with food we are encouraged to think LOAF, that is: Local, Organic, Animal Friendly, Fair trade.The intention is not only to be reflective but to be practical; hopefully throughout this Lent to not simply think LOAF but live LOAF.

• Details are on their website here

Living Lent from The Joint Public Issues Team
Living Lent is about recognising that changing our climate is not just an activity, but a lifestyle.

• Details are on their website here

This short video reminds us of what we can achieve if we decide to care for creation