PASTORAL LETTER FOR LENT 2009

Lent is once again upon us. The liturgy calls it a “joyful season” – not only because it leads us to the feast of Our Lord’s Resurrection, but also because we live our faith more fully and that always brings us contentment.

Nevertheless it is a challenging time: we are called to prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

On Ash Wednesday we hear Our Lord’s own words: “When you fast do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do; they pull long faces to let men know they are fasting. When you fast put oil on your head and wash your face so that no one will know you are fasting except your Father [in heaven] … and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:17-18)

Pope Benedict in his Lenten message focuses on fasting: “We might wonder,” he says, “what value and meaning there is for us Christians in depriving ourselves of something that in itself is good and useful for our bodily sustenance”. He answers his own question: “The Sacred Scriptures and the entire Christian tradition teach that fasting is a great help in avoiding sin and all that leads to it.”

The Holy Father reminds us of Our Lord’s own example, when in the desert he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights as he prepared himself for his public ministry. The devil tempted him to eat. Jesus answered Satan: “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). “My food,” he said, “is to do the will of the One who sent me and to complete His work.” (John 4:35).

The will of our heavenly Father is that we show compassion to those in need. St John the Evangelist asks: “If anyone has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, yet shuts his heart against him – how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17). Our fasting – our giving up something from or of ourselves – is best when we give it to others. This means not only giving alms, but also our time and energy.

On the Fourth Sunday of Lent we will be asked to give generously to SCIAF. This is the Church’s own agency in stretching out a helping hand to those in need throughout the world. On the other Sundays of Lent, parishioners in Glasgow will be asked to support the fund that contributes to the upkeep of our sick and retired priests. This is a duty of justice and not just of charity. Those who have borne the heat and burden of the day deserve, in their declining years, to enjoy a measure of comfort and care.

Giving of our time and energy is another way of fasting, since it involves self discipline. Our Pastoral Care Fund (now named the St. Nicholas Care Fund) is active throughout the year. It is open to requests from a wide range of voluntary groups which address the needy in our midst. I am making an appeal for volunteers to help its work:

• If you enjoy meeting people you can assist the fund, raise its profile by speaking to groups and organisations – as an advocate.
• If you are good with children you could represent the fund at School Assemblies and in Child Centred Activities – as an ambassador.
• If you enjoy organising, you can assist the Trust in arranging a variety of funding events – as an activist.

Our Archdiocesan newspaper Flourish contains a volunteering form. What a splendid way of benefiting others by denying self.

“Dear Brothers and Sisters, it is good to see how the ultimate goal in fasting is to help each one of us” wrote Pope Benedict in his Lenten Message.

I end as I began with the thought of Lent as a joyful season. Our event-filled Lenten Programme of drama, art and music throughout the Archdiocese, Lentfest, will lift your spirits and freshen your faith. Jesus said put oil on your head and wash your face.

May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

Yours devotedly in Christ

+Mario Conti
Archbishop of Glasgow