Singapore Archbishop’s Lenten pastoral message

The Archbishop of Singapore is calling on his faithful to repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation with God, saying this is the path to happiness and peace.  In a traditional Lenten pastoral letter, Arch.  William Goh of Singapore explains that the sense of loss felt in life is due to the "bad habits" that destroy “not just our health, but” also take away “our peace, joy and freedom."  By way of examples of bad habits he points to cheating, fighting, negative attitude towards people, anger, envy, sloth, greed and lust.  He says Lent “is the best time to return to God and find joy again” since “All of us, as His children, are called to be the goodness of God.”  "The consequence of contrition of heart and repentance is the reward of joy and peace” that manifests itself in the rediscovery a life of prayer and the joy of faith in God.  The beauty of Lent lies in walking together as brothers and sisters in our journey of faith.”

According to Arch. Goh, “The three pillars of the Lenten program consist of prayer, almsgiving and penance.”  Prayer, he explained, is a necessary tool for conversion. Penance protects us from the slavery of sin.  Almsgiving teaches us “to open our hearts to the sufferings of others and in the process, encounter the joy of mercy that God wants to give us.”  “The poor often reveal to us the face of God and give us the joy that money cannot buy,” Arch. Goh added. (Source: AsiaNews)