(Feb. 11, 2008) Facing the evil that is present in each one, recognising one's own
responsibilities, without attributing the causes to others – this is the real meaning
of entering into Lent which Pope Benedict XVI proposed on the first Sunday of Lent.
He was addressing some 40,000 people present in St Peter's Square for the recitation
of the midday Angelus prayer, on a bright day. Commenting on Sunday’s Gospel reading
on the temptation of Christ by Satan, the Pope said the struggle to be faced together
with Christ - against evil, against Satan, which represents the meaning of Lent -
assumes a distinctive aspect this year, in that it falls on the 150th anniversary
of the apparition of the Virgin of Lourdes. The Madonna’s message - "Convert and
believe in the Gospel, pray and do penance" – Pope Benedict recalled, echoes that
of Jesus, and is the path to be followed in this period. Hence, entering into Lent,
according to Pope Benedict, means waging a spiritual warfare against the evil present
in the world, within each one of us and around us. Above all it means fighting against
its causes and its effects. It does not mean blaming it on others, on society or
God, but acknowledging our own responsibilities and taking them upon ourselves deliberately.
Lent is the annual period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) when Christians pray,
fast and engage in good works, sacrifices and penance in preparation for their greatest
feast, Easter, which commemorates Jesus’ triumphant rising from the dead. This year’s
Lent began with Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6 and concludes with Easter, March 23.