Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, in a recent message, reflects on the importance of encountering God's mercy during the season of Lent. He emphasizes the need to embrace God's forgiveness and love through acts of penitence and charity. The Cardinal highlights the significance of the sacrament of reconciliation as a tangible way to experience the closeness of God's mercy, stating, "the sacrament of reconciliation allows us 'to touch the grandeur of God’s mercy' with our own hands."

In a separate message, Pope Francis shares words of challenge and hope in his 2024 Lenten message. He speaks about the journey from slavery to freedom, urging individuals to open their eyes to the reality of oppression and to listen to the cries of the oppressed. The Pope emphasizes the importance of combating a "deficit of hope" that hinders progress towards universal fraternity and peace. He encourages a season of conversion and freedom, where individuals pause in prayer and reflection to cast out idols that weigh them down.

Pope Francis calls for communal decisions and actions during Lent, emphasizing the need to rethink lifestyles, care for creation, and include marginalized individuals. He envisions a Lent of conversion leading to bursts of creativity and new hope, born from breaking free from slavery. The Pope's message resonates with a call for peace, unity, and a shared journey towards reconciliation and fraternity.

As the season of Lent unfolds, the messages from both Cardinal Tobin and Pope Francis serve as reminders of the transformative power of God's mercy and the importance of embracing freedom, hope, and peace in our lives and communities.