Pause for a little while, refrain from the deafening noise that weakens and confuses our hearing, that makes us forget the fruitful and creative power of silence. Pause for a little while, refrain from the urge to want to control everything, know everything, destroy everything this comes from overlooking gratitude for the gift of life and all the good we receive. Pause for a little while, refrain from haughty looks, from fleeting and pejorative comments that arise from forgetting tenderness, compassion and reverence for the encounter with others, particularly those who are vulnerable, hurt and even immersed in sin and error. Pause for a little while, refrain from the need to show off and be seen by all, to continually appear on the “noticeboard” that makes us forget the value of intimacy and recollection. Pause from this compulsion to a fast-paced life that scatters, divides and ultimately destroys time with family, with friends, with children, with grandparents, and time as a gift… time with God. Pause a little, leave behind the unrest and commotion that fill the soul with bitter feelings which never get us anywhere. The whole of the Lenten season is imbued with this conviction, which we could say is echoed by three words offered to us in order to rekindle the heart of the believer: pause, see and return. Lent is the ideal time to unmask these and other temptations, to allow our hearts to beat once more in tune with the vibrant heart of Jesus.

Distrust, apathy and resignation: these are demons that deaden and paralyze the soul of a believing people. If the fruit of faith is charity – as Mother Teresa often used to say – then the fruit of distrust is apathy and resignation. And it is sad to note that, when faced with the ever-varying circumstances of our daily lives, there are voices raised that take advantage of pain and uncertainty the only thing they aim to do is sow distrust.

Each of us knows the difficulties we have to face. The Church in her maternal wisdom invites us to pay special attention to anything that could dampen or even corrode our believing heart. The season of Lent is a favourable time to remedy the dissonant chords of our Christian life and to receive the ever new, joyful and hope-filled proclamation of the Lord’s Passover. HOLY MASS, BLESSING AND IMPOSITION OF THE ASHES

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