General Intention for the Month of March

(February 27, 2010) World economy: That the world economy may be managed according to the principles of Justice and equality, taking into account the real needs of people, especially the poorest. Speaking of last year’s global financial collapse, Pope Benedict XVI said, “It was precisely from this root of covetousness that the crises sprang.” Economic and political solutions can go only so far to fix the economy. What is needed is a spiritual solution to a spiritual problem: Prayer. The Holy Father asks us to pray that the economy be managed with justice and equality, mindful of the needs of peoples especially the poorest. It is the poorest who are the most forgotten and denied their rights to what is necessary for life, namely food, shelter and medical care. Lent is a good time to pray and give alms. This is an invitation to sacrifice some things in order to sacrifice for others. We must see all humanity with the heart of Jesus recognising our solidarity in one family. We also pray for the development of a truly Christian world economy. Pope Benedict in his encyclical, Charity in Truth, says: “Development needs Christians with arms raised towards God in prayer. Development needs attention to the spiritual life, a serious consideration of the experiences of trust in God, spiritual fellowship with Christ, reliance upon God’s providence and mercy, love and forgiveness, self-denial, acceptance of others, justice and peace. All this is essential if hearts of stones are transformed into hearts of flesh. What is primary in today’s world is that sacredness of the human person who is made in god’s image and the economy must be at his service. Our prayer is that the economy may serve the good of every person on earth and bring peace and harmony.