In the most recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship), Pope Francis has reminded the Church that all of us are part of a larger human family and that our human fraternity “transcends the barriers of geography and distance.” In a spirit of fraternal love, the Church cannot turn a blind eye to those in need and the vulnerable irrespective of who they are and where they come from, especially in times of crises. In this Season of Lent, the sacrifices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving which Lent call us to, must move us beyond individualistic Lenten practices towards cultivating a love and compassion for one another that excludes no one and is open to all. “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
In the most recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship), Pope Francis has reminded the Church that all of us are part of a larger human family and that our human fraternity “transcends the barriers of geography and distance.” In a spirit of fraternal love, the Church cannot turn a blind eye to those in need and the vulnerable irrespective of who they are and where they come from, especially in times of crises. In this Season of Lent, the sacrifices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving which Lent call us to, must move us beyond individualistic Lenten practices towards cultivating a love and compassion for one another that excludes no one and is open to all. “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”