Lenten Message from Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Each year, our journey through Lent reflects the journey Our Lord Jesus Christ took to Jerusalem to endure the pain and suffering of the Crucifixion. But the Christ’s death on the cross was not the end of the journey; it ended with the wonderful triumph of His resurrection. In a similar way our Lenten journey ends with the joy of Easter. Lent is a period during which we reflect on Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice, on his teaching and on his poignant farewell instruction to his disciples – and thus to all Christians – ‘Love one another, as I have loved you’.

For Catholics and for many other Christian traditions, an important way of expressing that love is through the giving of alms. Showing our love and respect for the people we know is to be expected. Almsgiving is a way in which we show our love and respect for the presence of Christ in the many people whom we can never know. Prayer, fasting and the giving of alms are spiritual practices central to Lent.

On Maundy Thursday (or Holy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, commemorating the day Our Lord died on the cross) each year, English monarchs have traditionally given alms to the poor. The alms, ‘Maundy Money’ – one silver penny for each year of the monarch’s reign – are distributed. In the days when a silver penny was a man’s pay for a day’s work, a monarch in his middle years of age might give away a tidy sum, to the delight of the poor and elderly beneficiaries. The important thing is that for those who have very little, even the smallest gift is a welcome act of love.

Money can be badly used though. Perhaps we recall the thirty silver denarii (one denarius being a Roman soldier’s daily pay and the predecessor of our penny) was the price paid to Judas Iscariot for his betrayal of Christ. For centuries, human lives – slaves – could be bought with money. Even in our own day, money is ill-used to fund human trafficking and exploitation – a modern form of slavery. A habit of almsgiving, of charitable giving, encourages us to use our money not solely for our own benefit but for the good of others, to help lift the lives of others out of suffering and poverty.

Most parents, whose religious faith or personal values inspire them to affirm the dignity of human life, will try to nurture a spirit of generosity into their children, so that their children will mature into generous and open-hearted adults mindful of the needs of others. Many of you who read this will be sponsors of children through the Thai Children’s Trust, of which I am Patron.

The Trust has just introduced a ‘Junior Sponsorship’ scheme so that children and young people can also easily and affordably sponsor children in Thailand, so learning about the goodness and joy which even a small regular donation can bring to the lives of those who are in need. It is a journey that a parent or grandparent can make with their child over a period of years, sharing the pleasure of helping another child whose family is unable to give them the love and care they require.

As Lent begins, if you have the chance, try to let the families you know come to learn about the work of the Thai Children’s Trust and be as generous as you can in supporting its projects.

As we start our journey towards Easter, I embark on a new stage in my life’s journey. As you will know, I have recently been made a Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis. I therefore take this opportunity to ask you for the generosity of your prayers as I take up my new responsibilities.

On behalf of Thai Children’s Trust Andrew Scadding, Director, would like to extend his warm congratulations to His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and thank him for his continued Patronage.

To sponsor a child through the Thai Children's Trust see: www.thaichildrenstrust.org.uk/sponsor-a-child/

Source: TCT