He Bore Our Sin for Our Sake
“For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin” (cf. 2 Cor 5:21). In a mystery too deep for words, the Father placed the weight of humanity’s sin upon His beloved Son. Pope Benedict XVI described this profound act as a “turning of God against Himself” (Deus Caritas Est, 12)—a divine paradox revealing the extent of God’s boundless love. It is a love that embraces even His enemies (cf. Mt 5:43–48), a love that goes beyond justice into the realm of mercy.
The dialogue God invites us into through the paschal mystery is not casual or superficial. It is not the chatter of those like the ancient Athenians who “spent their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21). Rather, it is a deeply personal and transformative exchange—one that cuts through the noise of the world and invites us into the silence of the Cross. Today, that same noise often manifests as the shallow distraction of media misuse, feeding curiosity but starving the soul.
The Paschal Mystery: A Gift to Be Shared
To place the paschal mystery at the heart of our lives is to share in the suffering of Christ crucified. It is to recognize His wounds in the countless innocent victims of war, in the voiceless unborn and the neglected elderly, in the devastation of creation, and in the exploitation of human beings through trafficking and greed. The relentless chase for profit—disconnected from conscience—becomes a modern form of idolatry.
In a world marked by inequality and indifference, we are called to break the cycle of hoarding and fear. Almsgiving is not merely an act of generosity; it is a declaration of faith in a better, more compassionate world. When we give from the heart, we grow in humanity. When we cling to our possessions, we risk becoming prisoners of our own selfishness.
But our response must go deeper. We must also examine the very structures that perpetuate injustice. That is why, during this Lent—from March 26 to 28—I have convened a gathering in Assisi with young economists, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Our goal: to envision and build an economy rooted not in exclusion, but in equity and solidarity. As the Church has long taught, political action—when guided by love—is one of the highest forms of charity (cf. Pius XI, Address to the Italian Federation).
A Lenten Prayer for Renewal
As we enter this sacred season, I ask the intercession of Mary Most Holy. May she help us open our hearts to God’s call for reconciliation. May we gaze upon the crucified and risen Christ, allowing His paschal mystery to shape our thoughts, decisions, and relationships. In doing so, we fulfill His call to become salt for the earth and light for the world (cf. Mt 5:13–14)—agents of transformation in a world that so desperately needs hope.
