The Heart of Lent
"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25: 40b)
Fasting plays an important part in many of the world’s major religions. Today’s Lent invites us to fast. This external act needs to be practiced with love and sincerity to be acceptable to the Lord. True fasting involves performing acts of mercy. As suggested by St. Faustina, there are three ways of performing an act of mercy:
the merciful word, by forgiving and by comforting
if you can offer no word, then pray - that too is mercy
deeds of mercy.
Let's extend mercy towards others for in them we encounter Christ. This is the heart of Lent.
Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen