Pope’s Lenten message focuses on rich man, Lazarus

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis reflected on Christ’s parable of the rich man and Lazarus in his message for Lent 2017, which begins March 1.

“Let us find inspiration in this meaningful story, for it provides a key to understanding what we need to do in order to attain true happiness and eternal life,” the pope said.

The message, dated October 18 and released February on 7 Feb 2017, is entitled “The Word is a gift. Other persons are a gift.”

The brief message has three sections:

• The other person is a gift
• Sin blinds us
• The Word is a gift

“Let us pray for one another so that, by sharing in the victory of Christ, we may open our doors to the weak and poor,” the pope concluded. “Then we will be able to experience and share to the full the joy of Easter.” – CWN