He took on our sins so that God could place the weight of our failures on His Son (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). As Pope Benedict XVI put it, this was a moment when God turned against Himself (“Deus Caritas Est,” 12). Even His enemies are embraced by His love (see Matthew 5:43–48).
The kind of conversation God wants to have with each of us through the Paschal Mystery of Jesus isn’t empty chatter—like that of the ancient Athenians who “spent their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21). That trivial talk, driven by shallow curiosity, has always been a sign of worldliness. Today, it often shows up in the way we misuse social media and other platforms for superficial noise.
Putting the Paschal Mystery at the center of our lives calls us to share in the suffering of the crucified Christ. We see that same pain in countless innocent victims of war, assaults on life—from the unborn all the way to the elderly—and other forms of violence. It’s also visible in environmental disasters, the unfair distribution of the earth’s resources, and the horrors of human trafficking. And the relentless chase for profit—when money becomes our god—is another form of idolatry.
Right now, there’s an urgent need for people of goodwill to share their blessings with those in desperate situations. Giving to others builds up our humanity; hoarding wealth and resources only shrinks our hearts and locks us into selfishness. At the same time, we have to look beyond individual charity and examine how our economic systems are built. That’s why, this year during Lent (March 26 to 28), I’ve organized a gathering in Assisi with young economists, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Our goal is to imagine and promote an economy that is more just and inclusive. As the Church has often taught, getting involved in politics can be one of the most powerful ways to show charity in action (see Pius XI, Address to the Italian Federation).
I turn to Mary Most Holy, asking her to pray that our observance of Lent will soften our hearts and draw us back into a genuine relationship with God. Let us keep the Paschal Mystery at the center and enter into a real, open conversation with Him. In doing so, we become exactly what Jesus called us to be: the salt of the earth and the light of the world (see Matthew 5:13–14).
