Pope Urges Charity in Lenten Message
Pope John Paul II called in his Lenten message Tuesday for individuals, governments and international institutions to join in a search for “courageous new routes” for a more just distribution of the world’s wealth.
Lent, the 40-day liturgical season in which Christians are called upon to fast, pray and give alms in preparation for Easter, will begin Feb. 17, Ash Wednesday.
John Paul, who has designated 1999 as the Year of Charity, based his message on the words of the prophet Isaiah: “The Lord will prepare a banquet for all the peoples.” He compared the needy to the diseased beggar Lazarus in the biblical parable of the rich man and the beggar.
“The new poverty and the great questions that grieve many hearts await concrete and pertinent answers,” the pope said.
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