Lent as time of healing: Pope’s Sunday message

As he continues his convalescence in the Vatican, Pope Francis is still not leading the Sunday Angelus with the faithful. But as in previous weeks, the text of his reflection for this March 30 was released.

The Pope considered today's Gospel about the Merciful Father, the prodigal son, and his indignant brother. He noted how "Frailty and illness are experiences we all have in common; all the more, however, we are brothers in the salvation Christ has given us."

Above all, the Holy Father called for peace in the many war-torn countries of the world.

Here is a Vatican translation of his text:

~

Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Sunday!

In today's Gospel (Lk 15:1-3, 11-32) Jesus notices that the Pharisees are scandalised and murmur behind His back, instead of being happy because sinners come to Him. So Jesus tells them about a father who has two sons: one leaves home, but then, having been reduced to poverty, he returns and is welcomed with joy. The other, the ‘obedient’ son, is indignant at his father and does not want to enter the feast. This is how Jesus reveals the heart of God: He is always merciful towards all; he heals our wounds so that we can love each other as brothers.

Dearest friends, let us live this Lent as a time of healing, all the more as it is the Jubilee. I too am experiencing it this way, in my soul and in my body. That is why I give heartfelt thanks to all those who, in the image of the Saviour, are instruments of healing for their neighbour with their word and their knowledge, with kindness and with prayer. Frailty and illness are experiences we all have in common; all the more, however, we are brothers in the salvation Christ has given us.

Trusting in the mercy of God the Father, we continue to pray for peace: in martyred Ukraine, in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Myanmar, which is also suffering so much because of the earthquake.

I am following the situation in South Sudan with concern. I renew my heartfelt appeal to all leaders to do their utmost to lower the tension in the country. We must put aside our differences and, with courage and responsibility, sit around a table and engage in constructive dialogue. Only in this way will it be possible to alleviate the suffering of the beloved South Sudanese people and to build a future of peace and stability.

And in Sudan, the war continues to claim innocent victims. I urge the parties concerned in the conflict to put the safeguarding of the lives of their civilian brothers and sisters first; and I hope that new negotiations will begin as soon as possible, capable of securing a lasting solution to the crisis. May the international community increase its efforts to address the appalling humanitarian catastrophe.

Thanks be to God, there are also positive events: for example, the ratification of the Agreement on the demarcation of the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which is an excellent diplomatic achievement. I encourage both countries to continue on this path.

May Mary, Mother of Mercy, help the human family to be reconciled in peace.