"He became poor..."

Ave Maria!  If you're looking for good spiritual reading during this Lenten season, consider reading and contemplating the Holy Father's "Message for Lent 2014," which you can access here.  Pope Francis reminds us therein that in order to bear witness to "the Gospel message of the merciful love of God our Father, who is ready to embrace everyone in Christ," we must "imitate Christ who became poor and enriched us by his poverty."  The Holy Father adds that "Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt."

Lord, holy Father,

almighty and eternal God,

through Christ our Lord,

we always and everywhere give You thanks,

and we beg You,

that by Your gracious gift of this Lenten season,

we may possess the joy of minds made pure

and become more eagerly intent on prayer

and on the works of charity,

in union with and in imitation of

Your Beloved Son, Jesus,

who became poor

that we might become rich.

Amen.

Preface I of Lent, adapted