Pope Francis Lent Quotes

Do not forget that God forgives all, and God forgives always. Let us never tire of asking forgiveness. Homily, March 13, 2015 Lord,

Lord, you remained in constant communion with God in prayer. Spending time with God is not something I am in the habit of doing every day. My life is too busy. When I list all of the things I need to do, prayer is not at the top of the list. I make time to shop, to work out, to go out to eat, to be with friends and to watch my favorite television program. I know it is impossible to be a loving, kind, forgiving and merciful person without a strong prayer life. Lord, slow me down so that I will take time to be with you in prayer. Help me to experience the joy and peace that come from a closer relationship with you. Nourish me with your daily bread of love and compassion. Amen. Read

Lord, with love and mercy you protect us from the dangers of the world. When I spend too much time looking into my smartphone, paying little attention to the beautiful faces of the people around me, I know I am in danger of forgetting who I am. When I text and tweet all sorts of messages to people I hardly know, making no time to have a meaningful conversation with a stranger or even a loved one, I know I am in danger of losing sight of God in others. When I indulge myself by buying things instantly and mindlessly, I am in danger of becoming indifferent to the needs of others. Lord, save me from my selfish ways and addictive attachment to the things of this world. Fill me with love, mercy and inner peace, that I may long to truly be present to those who cry for help. Amen. Read

If a computer breaks it is a tragedy, but poverty, the needs and dramas of so many people end up being considered normal.” -Pope Francis

Mercy will always be greater than any sin, and no one can place limits on the love of God who is ever ready to forgive.

Gracious God, I can talk myself out of a generous impulse by saying, “What’s the point?” A few coins to a panhandler, a listening ear to a chronic complainer or a word of encouragement to a grieving friend seem so inadequate in the face of need. Yet you ask love from us, not efficiency or effectiveness. Help me to see a brother or a sister rather than a statistic, and help me respond with a more generous heart. Amen.

Lent beckons us to “rouse ourselves,” to remind ourselves that, simply put, we are creatures, that we are not God. Homily, 3/5/14 Lord,

Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance.

Fasting makes sense if it questions our security, and if it also leads to some benefit for others, if it helps us to cultivate the style of the Good Samaritan, who bends down to his brother in need and takes care of him. 3/5/14