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	== Baptism and Lent ==		== Baptism and Lent ==

	1. This very life was already bestowed upon us on the day of our [[Baptism]], when we â€œbecome sharers in ~~Christâ€™s~~ death and Resurrectionâ€, and there began for us â€œthe joyful and exulting adventure of his disciples.â€<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20100110_battesimo_en.html Homily on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord,] 10 January, 2010.</ref> In his Letters, St. Paul repeatedly insists on the '''singular communion with the Son of God that this washing brings about'''. The fact that, in most cases, [[Baptism]] is received in infancy highlights how it is a gift of God: '''no one earns eternal life through their own efforts'''. The mercy of God, which cancels sin and, at the same time, allows us to experience in our lives â€œthe mind of Christ Jesusâ€ (Phil 2: 5), is given to men and women freely. The Apostle to the Gentiles, in the Letter to the Philippians, expresses the meaning of the transformation that takes place through participation in the death and resurrection of Christ, pointing to its goal: that â€œI may come to know him and the power of his resurrection, and partake of his sufferings by being molded to the pattern of his death, striving towards the goal of resurrection from the deadâ€ (Phil 3:10-11). Hence, '''[[Baptism]] is not a rite from the past, but the encounter with Christ, which informs the entire existence of the baptized, imparting divine life and calling for sincere conversion; initiated and supported by Grace, it permits the baptized to reach the adult stature of Christ.'''		1. This very life was already bestowed upon us on the day of our [[Baptism]], when we â€œbecome sharers in Christ’s death and Resurrectionâ€, and there began for us â€œthe joyful and exulting adventure of his disciples.â€<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20100110_battesimo_en.html Homily on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord,] 10 January, 2010.</ref> In his Letters, St. Paul repeatedly insists on the '''singular communion with the Son of God that this washing brings about'''. The fact that, in most cases, [[Baptism]] is received in infancy highlights how it is a gift of God: '''no one earns eternal life through their own efforts'''. The mercy of God, which cancels sin and, at the same time, allows us to experience in our lives â€œthe mind of Christ Jesusâ€ (Phil 2: 5), is given to men and women freely. The Apostle to the Gentiles, in the Letter to the Philippians, expresses the meaning of the transformation that takes place through participation in the death and resurrection of Christ, pointing to its goal: that â€œI may come to know him and the power of his resurrection, and partake of his sufferings by being molded to the pattern of his death, striving towards the goal of resurrection from the deadâ€ (Phil 3:10-11). Hence, '''[[Baptism]] is not a rite from the past, but the encounter with Christ, which informs the entire existence of the baptized, imparting divine life and calling for sincere conversion; initiated and supported by Grace, it permits the baptized to reach the adult stature of Christ.'''

	'''A particular connection binds [[Baptism]] to Lent as the favorable time to experience this saving Grace'''. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council exhorted all of the ~~Churchâ€™s~~ Pastors to make greater use â€œof the '''baptismal features proper to the Lenten liturgy'''.â€<ref>Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy [http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html ''Sacrosanctum concilium'',] n. 109.</ref> In fact, the Church has always associated the Easter Vigil with the celebration of [[Baptism]]: this Sacrament realizes the great mystery in which man dies to sin, is made a sharer in the new life of the Risen Christ and receives the same Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead (cf. Rm 8:11). This free gift must always be rekindled in each one of us, and '''Lent offers us a path like that of the catechumenate,''' which, for the Christians of the early Church, just as for catechumens today, is an irreplaceable '''school of faith and Christian life'''. Truly, they live their [[Baptism]] as an act that shapes their entire existence.		'''A particular connection binds [[Baptism]] to Lent as the favorable time to experience this saving Grace'''. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council exhorted all of the Church’s Pastors to make greater use â€œof the '''baptismal features proper to the Lenten liturgy'''.â€<ref>Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy [http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html ''Sacrosanctum concilium'',] n. 109.</ref> In fact, the Church has always associated the Easter Vigil with the celebration of [[Baptism]]: this Sacrament realizes the great mystery in which man dies to sin, is made a sharer in the new life of the Risen Christ and receives the same Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead (cf. Rm 8:11). This free gift must always be rekindled in each one of us, and '''Lent offers us a path like that of the catechumenate,''' which, for the Christians of the early Church, just as for catechumens today, is an irreplaceable '''school of faith and Christian life'''. Truly, they live their [[Baptism]] as an act that shapes their entire existence.

	== Guided by the Word of God ==		== Guided by the Word of God ==
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	The victorious '''battle against temptation''',<br>		The victorious '''battle against temptation''',<br>
	the starting point of ~~Jesusâ€™~~ mission,<br>		the starting point of Jesus’ mission,<br>
	is an invitation to become aware of our own fragility<br>		is an invitation to become aware of our own fragility<br>
	in order to accept the grace that frees from sin and infuses new strength in Christ â€“<br>		in order to accept the grace that frees from sin and infuses new strength in Christ â€“<br>
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	[The Gospel of the Transfiguration] is [an] invitation<br>		[The Gospel of the Transfiguration] is [an] invitation<br>
	to [draw away] from the noisiness of everyday life<br>		to [draw away] from the noisiness of everyday life<br>
	in order to immerse [ourselves] in ~~Godâ€™s~~ presence.		in order to immerse [ourselves] in God’s presence.

	He desires to hand down to us, each day,<br>		He desires to hand down to us, each day,<br>
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	=== Fast ===		=== Fast ===
	3. By '''immersing ourselves into the death and resurrection of Christ''' through the Sacrament of [[Baptism]], we are moved to free our hearts every day from the burden of material things, from a self-centered relationship with the â€œworldâ€ that impoverishes us and prevents us from being available and open to God and our neighbor. In Christ, God revealed himself as Love (cf. 1 Jn 4:7-10). The Cross of Christ, the â€œword of the Crossâ€, manifests ~~Godâ€™s~~ saving power (cf. 1 Cor 1:18), that is given to raise men and women anew and bring them salvation: it is love in its most extreme form.<ref>Cf. Encyclical [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est_en.html ''Deus caritas est'',] n. 12.</ref> Through the traditional practices of fasting, almsgiving and prayer, which are an expression of our commitment to conversion, Lent teaches us how to live the love of Christ in an ever more radical way. Fasting, which can have various motivations, takes on a profoundly religious significance for the Christian: by rendering our table poorer, we learn to overcome selfishness in order to live in the logic of gift and love; by bearing some form of deprivation â€“ and not just what is in excess â€“ we learn to look away from our â€œegoâ€, to discover Someone close to us and to recognize God in the face of so many brothers and sisters. For Christians, fasting, far from being depressing, opens us ever more to God and to the needs of others, thus allowing love of God to become also love of our neighbor (cf. Mk 12:31).		3. By '''immersing ourselves into the death and resurrection of Christ''' through the Sacrament of [[Baptism]], we are moved to free our hearts every day from the burden of material things, from a self-centered relationship with the â€œworldâ€ that impoverishes us and prevents us from being available and open to God and our neighbor. In Christ, God revealed himself as Love (cf. 1 Jn 4:7-10). The Cross of Christ, the â€œword of the Crossâ€, manifests God’s saving power (cf. 1 Cor 1:18), that is given to raise men and women anew and bring them salvation: it is love in its most extreme form.<ref>Cf. Encyclical [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est_en.html ''Deus caritas est'',] n. 12.</ref> Through the traditional practices of fasting, almsgiving and prayer, which are an expression of our commitment to conversion, Lent teaches us how to live the love of Christ in an ever more radical way. Fasting, which can have various motivations, takes on a profoundly religious significance for the Christian: by rendering our table poorer, we learn to overcome selfishness in order to live in the logic of gift and love; by bearing some form of deprivation â€“ and not just what is in excess â€“ we learn to look away from our â€œegoâ€, to discover Someone close to us and to recognize God in the face of so many brothers and sisters. For Christians, fasting, far from being depressing, opens us ever more to God and to the needs of others, thus allowing love of God to become also love of our neighbor (cf. Mk 12:31).

	=== Give alms ===		=== Give alms ===

	In our journey, we are often faced with '''the temptation of accumulating and love of money''' that undermine ~~Godâ€™s~~ primacy in our lives. The greed of possession leads to violence, exploitation and death; for this, the Church, especially during the Lenten period, reminds us to '''practice almsgiving''' â€“ which is the capacity to share. The idolatry of goods, on the other hand, not only causes us to drift away from others, but divests man, making him unhappy, deceiving him, deluding him without fulfilling its promises, since it puts materialistic goods in the place of God, the only source of life. How can we understand ~~Godâ€™s~~ paternal goodness, if our heart is full of egoism and our own projects, deceiving us that our future is guaranteed? The temptation is to think, just like the rich man in the parable: â€œMy soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to comeâ€¦â€. We are all aware of the ~~Lordâ€™s~~ judgment: â€œFool! This very night the demand will be made for your soulâ€¦â€ (Lk 12:19-20). The practice of almsgiving is a reminder of ~~Godâ€™s~~ primacy and turns our attention towards others, so that we may rediscover how good our Father is, and receive his mercy.		In our journey, we are often faced with '''the temptation of accumulating and love of money''' that undermine God’s primacy in our lives. The greed of possession leads to violence, exploitation and death; for this, the Church, especially during the Lenten period, reminds us to '''practice almsgiving''' â€“ which is the capacity to share. The idolatry of goods, on the other hand, not only causes us to drift away from others, but divests man, making him unhappy, deceiving him, deluding him without fulfilling its promises, since it puts materialistic goods in the place of God, the only source of life. How can we understand God’s paternal goodness, if our heart is full of egoism and our own projects, deceiving us that our future is guaranteed? The temptation is to think, just like the rich man in the parable: â€œMy soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to comeâ€¦â€. We are all aware of the Lord’s judgment: â€œFool! This very night the demand will be made for your soulâ€¦â€ (Lk 12:19-20). The practice of almsgiving is a reminder of God’s primacy and turns our attention towards others, so that we may rediscover how good our Father is, and receive his mercy.

	=== Pray and meditate ===		=== Pray and meditate ===

	During the entire Lenten period, the Church offers us ~~Godâ€™s~~ Word with particular abundance. By meditating and internalizing the Word in order to live it every day, we learn a precious and irreplaceable form of prayer; by attentively listening to God, who continues to speak to our hearts, we nourish the itinerary of faith initiated on the day of our [[Baptism]]. Prayer also allows us to gain a new concept of time: without the perspective of eternity and transcendence, in fact, time simply directs our steps towards a horizon without a future. Instead, when we pray, we find time for God, to understand that his â€œwords will not pass awayâ€ (cf. Mk 13: 31), to enter into that intimate communion with Him â€œthat no one shall take from youâ€ (Jn 16:22), opening us to the hope that does not disappoint, eternal life.		During the entire Lenten period, the Church offers us God’s Word with particular abundance. By meditating and internalizing the Word in order to live it every day, we learn a precious and irreplaceable form of prayer; by attentively listening to God, who continues to speak to our hearts, we nourish the itinerary of faith initiated on the day of our [[Baptism]]. Prayer also allows us to gain a new concept of time: without the perspective of eternity and transcendence, in fact, time simply directs our steps towards a horizon without a future. Instead, when we pray, we find time for God, to understand that his â€œwords will not pass awayâ€ (cf. Mk 13: 31), to enter into that intimate communion with Him â€œthat no one shall take from youâ€ (Jn 16:22), opening us to the hope that does not disappoint, eternal life.

	=== Be Transformed by the Holy Spirit ===		=== Be Transformed by the Holy Spirit ===

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Fifth Sunday of Lent: Lazarus

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	to the personal and social lives of men and women, <br>		to the personal and social lives of men and women, <br>
	to culture, <br>		to culture, <br>
	politics <br>		politics, <br>
	and the economy.		and the economy.

Mxmsj: /* Fifth Sunday of Lent: Lazarus */

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Fifth Sunday of Lent: Lazarus

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 === Fifth Sunday of Lent: Lazarus ===
 * [http://www.usccb.org/nab/041011.shtml Readings.]
-On the fifth Sunday, when '''the resurrection of Lazarus''' is proclaimed, we are faced with the ultimate mystery of our existence: â€œI am the resurrection and the lifeâ€¦ Do you believe this?â€ (Jn 11:25-26). For the Christian community, it is the moment to place with sincerity â€“ together with Martha â€“ all of our hopes in Jesus of Nazareth: â€œYes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this worldâ€ (Jn 11:27). Communion with Christ in this life prepares us to overcome the barrier of death, so that we may live eternally with him. Faith in the resurrection of the dead and hope in eternal life open our eyes to the ultimate meaning of our existence: God created men and women for resurrection and life, and this truth gives an authentic and definitive meaning to human history, to the personal and social lives of men and women, to culture, politics and the economy. Without the light of faith, the entire universe finishes shut within a tomb devoid of any future, any hope.
+For the Christian community, <br>
 ; [http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english2/p00771.htm Preface of the Fifth Sunday of Lent]

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Fourth Sunday of Lent: The Man Born Blind

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 * [http://www.usccb.org/nab/040311.shtml Readings.]
-The Sunday of '''the man born blind''' presents Christ as the light of the world. The Gospel confronts each one of us with the question: â€œDo you believe in the Son of man?â€ â€œLord, I believe!â€ (Jn 9:35, 38), the man born blind joyfully exclaims, giving voice to all believers. The miracle of this healing is a sign that Christ wants not only to give us sight, but also open our interior vision, so that our faith may become ever deeper and we may recognize him as our only Savior. He illuminates all that is dark in life and leads men and women to live as â€œchildren of the lightâ€.
+The Sunday of '''the man born blind'''<br>
 ; [http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english2/p00765.htm Preface of the Fourth Sunday of Lent]

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Third Sunday of Lent: The Woman at the Well

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	* [http://www.usccb.org/nab/032711.shtml Readings.]		* [http://www.usccb.org/nab/032711.shtml Readings.]

			<div style="margin-left:4em">
	The question that Jesus puts to '''the Samaritan woman''':<br>		The question that Jesus puts to '''the Samaritan woman''':<br>
	â€œGive me a drinkâ€ (Jn 4:7),<br>		â€œGive me a drinkâ€ (Jn 4:7),<br>
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	until it â€œfinds rest in Godâ€,<br>		until it â€œfinds rest in Godâ€,<br>
	as per the famous words of St. Augustine.		as per the famous words of St. Augustine.
			</div>

	; [http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english2/p00742.htm Preface of the Third Sunday of Lent]		; [http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english2/p00742.htm Preface of the Third Sunday of Lent]

Mxmsj: /* Fifth Sunday of Lent: Lazarus */

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Fifth Sunday of Lent: Lazarus

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	On the fifth Sunday, when '''the resurrection of Lazarus''' is proclaimed, we are faced with the ultimate mystery of our existence: â€œI am the resurrection and the lifeâ€¦ Do you believe this?â€ (Jn 11:25-26). For the Christian community, it is the moment to place with sincerity â€“ together with Martha â€“ all of our hopes in Jesus of Nazareth: â€œYes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this worldâ€ (Jn 11:27). Communion with Christ in this life prepares us to overcome the barrier of death, so that we may live eternally with him. Faith in the resurrection of the dead and hope in eternal life open our eyes to the ultimate meaning of our existence: God created men and women for resurrection and life, and this truth gives an authentic and definitive meaning to human history, to the personal and social lives of men and women, to culture, politics and the economy. Without the light of faith, the entire universe finishes shut within a tomb devoid of any future, any hope.		On the fifth Sunday, when '''the resurrection of Lazarus''' is proclaimed, we are faced with the ultimate mystery of our existence: â€œI am the resurrection and the lifeâ€¦ Do you believe this?â€ (Jn 11:25-26). For the Christian community, it is the moment to place with sincerity â€“ together with Martha â€“ all of our hopes in Jesus of Nazareth: â€œYes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this worldâ€ (Jn 11:27). Communion with Christ in this life prepares us to overcome the barrier of death, so that we may live eternally with him. Faith in the resurrection of the dead and hope in eternal life open our eyes to the ultimate meaning of our existence: God created men and women for resurrection and life, and this truth gives an authentic and definitive meaning to human history, to the personal and social lives of men and women, to culture, politics and the economy. Without the light of faith, the entire universe finishes shut within a tomb devoid of any future, any hope.

			; [http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english2/p00771.htm Preface of the Fifth Sunday of Lent]

	=== Passion Sunday ===		=== Passion Sunday ===

Mxmsj: /* Fourth Sunday of Lent: The Man Born Blind */

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Fourth Sunday of Lent: The Man Born Blind

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	The Sunday of '''the man born blind''' presents Christ as the light of the world. The Gospel confronts each one of us with the question: â€œDo you believe in the Son of man?â€ â€œLord, I believe!â€ (Jn 9:35, 38), the man born blind joyfully exclaims, giving voice to all believers. The miracle of this healing is a sign that Christ wants not only to give us sight, but also open our interior vision, so that our faith may become ever deeper and we may recognize him as our only Savior. He illuminates all that is dark in life and leads men and women to live as â€œchildren of the lightâ€.		The Sunday of '''the man born blind''' presents Christ as the light of the world. The Gospel confronts each one of us with the question: â€œDo you believe in the Son of man?â€ â€œLord, I believe!â€ (Jn 9:35, 38), the man born blind joyfully exclaims, giving voice to all believers. The miracle of this healing is a sign that Christ wants not only to give us sight, but also open our interior vision, so that our faith may become ever deeper and we may recognize him as our only Savior. He illuminates all that is dark in life and leads men and women to live as â€œchildren of the lightâ€.

			; [http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/english2/p00765.htm Preface of the Fourth Sunday of Lent]

	=== Fifth Sunday of Lent: Lazarus ===		=== Fifth Sunday of Lent: Lazarus ===

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	== Guided by the Word of God ==		== Guided by the Word of God ==

	2. In order to undertake more seriously our journey towards Easter and prepare ourselves to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord ~~â€“~~ the most joyous and solemn feast of the entire liturgical year ~~â€“~~ '''what could be more appropriate than allowing ourselves to be guided by the Word of God?''' For this reason, the Church, in the Gospel texts of the Sundays of Lent, leads us to a particularly intense encounter with the Lord, calling us to retrace the steps of Christian initiation: for catechumens, in preparation for receiving the Sacrament of rebirth; for the baptized, in light of the new and decisive steps to be taken in the ''sequela Christi'' and a fuller giving of oneself to him.		2. In order to undertake more seriously our journey towards Easter and prepare ourselves to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord - the most joyous and solemn feast of the entire liturgical year - '''what could be more appropriate than allowing ourselves to be guided by the Word of God?''' For this reason, the Church, in the Gospel texts of the Sundays of Lent, leads us to a particularly intense encounter with the Lord, calling us to retrace the steps of Christian initiation: for catechumens, in preparation for receiving the Sacrament of rebirth; for the baptized, in light of the new and decisive steps to be taken in the ''sequela Christi'' and a fuller giving of oneself to him.

	=== First Sunday of Lent: The Temptation of Jesus ===		=== First Sunday of Lent: The Temptation of Jesus ===
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	the starting point of Jesus’ mission,<br>		the starting point of Jesus’ mission,<br>
	is an invitation to become aware of our own fragility<br>		is an invitation to become aware of our own fragility<br>
	in order to accept the grace that frees from sin and infuses new strength in Christ ~~â€“~~<br>		in order to accept the grace that frees from sin and infuses new strength in Christ -<br>
	the way, the truth and the life.<ref>Cf. ''Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum'', n. 25.</ref>		the way, the truth and the life.<ref>Cf. ''Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum'', n. 25.</ref>

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	following the example of Jesus and in union with him,<br>		following the example of Jesus and in union with him,<br>
	'''a battle “against the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness in this world”''' [http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/ephesians/ephesians6.htm#v12 (Eph 6:12),]<br>		'''a battle “against the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness in this world”''' [http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/ephesians/ephesians6.htm#v12 (Eph 6:12),]<br>
	[a battle] in which the devil is at work and never tires ~~â€“~~ even today ~~â€“~~<br>		[a battle] in which the devil is at work and never tires - even today -<br>
	of tempting whoever wishes to draw close to the Lord:<br>		of tempting whoever wishes to draw close to the Lord:<br>
	'''Christ emerges victorious''' to open also our hearts to hope and guide us in overcoming the seductions of evil.		'''Christ emerges victorious''' to open also our hearts to hope and guide us in overcoming the seductions of evil.
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	For the Christian community, <br>		For the Christian community, <br>
	it is the moment to place with sincerity <br>		it is the moment to place with sincerity <br>
	~~â€“~~ together with Martha ~~â€“~~ <br>		- together with Martha - <br>
	all of our hopes in Jesus of Nazareth: <br>		all of our hopes in Jesus of Nazareth: <br>
	“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, <br>		“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, <br>
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	=== Fast ===		=== Fast ===
	3. By '''immersing ourselves into the death and resurrection of Christ''' through the Sacrament of [[Baptism]], we are moved to free our hearts every day from the burden of material things, from a self-centered relationship with the “world” that impoverishes us and prevents us from being available and open to God and our neighbor. In Christ, God revealed himself as Love (cf. 1 Jn 4:7-10). The Cross of Christ, the “word of the Cross”, manifests God’s saving power (cf. 1 Cor 1:18), that is given to raise men and women anew and bring them salvation: it is love in its most extreme form.<ref>Cf. Encyclical [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est_en.html ''Deus caritas est'',] n. 12.</ref> Through the traditional practices of fasting, almsgiving and prayer, which are an expression of our commitment to conversion, Lent teaches us how to live the love of Christ in an ever more radical way. Fasting, which can have various motivations, takes on a profoundly religious significance for the Christian: by rendering our table poorer, we learn to overcome selfishness in order to live in the logic of gift and love; by bearing some form of deprivation ~~â€“~~ and not just what is in excess ~~â€“~~ we learn to look away from our “ego”, to discover Someone close to us and to recognize God in the face of so many brothers and sisters. For Christians, fasting, far from being depressing, opens us ever more to God and to the needs of others, thus allowing love of God to become also love of our neighbor (cf. Mk 12:31).		3. By '''immersing ourselves into the death and resurrection of Christ''' through the Sacrament of [[Baptism]], we are moved to free our hearts every day from the burden of material things, from a self-centered relationship with the “world” that impoverishes us and prevents us from being available and open to God and our neighbor. In Christ, God revealed himself as Love (cf. 1 Jn 4:7-10). The Cross of Christ, the “word of the Cross”, manifests God’s saving power (cf. 1 Cor 1:18), that is given to raise men and women anew and bring them salvation: it is love in its most extreme form.<ref>Cf. Encyclical [http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est_en.html ''Deus caritas est'',] n. 12.</ref> Through the traditional practices of fasting, almsgiving and prayer, which are an expression of our commitment to conversion, Lent teaches us how to live the love of Christ in an ever more radical way. Fasting, which can have various motivations, takes on a profoundly religious significance for the Christian: by rendering our table poorer, we learn to overcome selfishness in order to live in the logic of gift and love; by bearing some form of deprivation - and not just what is in excess - we learn to look away from our “ego”, to discover Someone close to us and to recognize God in the face of so many brothers and sisters. For Christians, fasting, far from being depressing, opens us ever more to God and to the needs of others, thus allowing love of God to become also love of our neighbor (cf. Mk 12:31).

	=== Give alms ===		=== Give alms ===

	In our journey, we are often faced with '''the temptation of accumulating and love of money''' that undermine God’s primacy in our lives. The greed of possession leads to violence, exploitation and death; for this, the Church, especially during the Lenten period, reminds us to '''practice almsgiving''' ~~â€“~~ which is the capacity to share. The idolatry of goods, on the other hand, not only causes us to drift away from others, but divests man, making him unhappy, deceiving him, deluding him without fulfilling its promises, since it puts materialistic goods in the place of God, the only source of life. How can we understand God’s paternal goodness, if our heart is full of egoism and our own projects, deceiving us that our future is guaranteed? The temptation is to think, just like the rich man in the parable: “My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to comeâ€¦”. We are all aware of the Lord’s judgment: “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soulâ€¦” (Lk 12:19-20). The practice of almsgiving is a reminder of God’s primacy and turns our attention towards others, so that we may rediscover how good our Father is, and receive his mercy.		In our journey, we are often faced with '''the temptation of accumulating and love of money''' that undermine God’s primacy in our lives. The greed of possession leads to violence, exploitation and death; for this, the Church, especially during the Lenten period, reminds us to '''practice almsgiving''' - which is the capacity to share. The idolatry of goods, on the other hand, not only causes us to drift away from others, but divests man, making him unhappy, deceiving him, deluding him without fulfilling its promises, since it puts materialistic goods in the place of God, the only source of life. How can we understand God’s paternal goodness, if our heart is full of egoism and our own projects, deceiving us that our future is guaranteed? The temptation is to think, just like the rich man in the parable: “My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to comeâ€¦”. We are all aware of the Lord’s judgment: “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soulâ€¦” (Lk 12:19-20). The practice of almsgiving is a reminder of God’s primacy and turns our attention towards others, so that we may rediscover how good our Father is, and receive his mercy.

	=== Pray and meditate ===		=== Pray and meditate ===
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	== Conclusion ==		== Conclusion ==

	Dear Brothers and Sisters, through the '''personal encounter with our Redeemer''' and through fasting, almsgiving and prayer, the journey of conversion towards Easter leads us to '''rediscover our [[Baptism]]'''. This Lent, let us renew our acceptance of the Grace that God bestowed upon us at that moment, so that it may illuminate and guide all of our actions. What the Sacrament signifies and realizes, we are called to experience every day by following Christ in an ever more generous and authentic manner. In this our itinerary, let us entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, who generated the Word of God in faith and in the flesh, so that we may immerse ourselves ~~â€“~~ just as she did ~~â€“~~ in the death and resurrection of her Son Jesus, and possess eternal life.		Dear Brothers and Sisters, through the '''personal encounter with our Redeemer''' and through fasting, almsgiving and prayer, the journey of conversion towards Easter leads us to '''rediscover our [[Baptism]]'''. This Lent, let us renew our acceptance of the Grace that God bestowed upon us at that moment, so that it may illuminate and guide all of our actions. What the Sacrament signifies and realizes, we are called to experience every day by following Christ in an ever more generous and authentic manner. In this our itinerary, let us entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, who generated the Word of God in faith and in the flesh, so that we may immerse ourselves - just as she did - in the death and resurrection of her Son Jesus, and possess eternal life.

	From the Vatican, 4 November, 2010		From the Vatican, 4 November, 2010

Benedict XVI: Lent, 2011 - Revision history

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