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Making the most of Lent – Pilgrims of Hope
An extract from a talk to young people given on 29th March 2025 by Fr Dan Magnier
Sometimes it’s good to have a day like this when we can have a break from our regular timetable. A day away from it all gives us the opportunity to think a bit more deeply about life and it can help us to focus on what is really important in life.
We are all human beings, we all walk the road of life every day. At times life is not easy, life is not always kind to us, we have to make our own way in the world that we live in today.
Just think for a moment, if you want to get to a particular place or go to a new location that you haven’t been to before, you have to do some homework. You may need a bus or a train to get somewhere, you may go by car, that might be easier, now a days you get out the mobile phone, you look for the most helpful app or key in the post code. Then as you get closer to your destination, you also look out for the signposts, or the information boards that point you to where you want to go.
I know from my own experience, signposts and information arrows are really useful if we are not familiar with a new location. As you get closer to the destination, you may even have to ask someone who can finally point the way and reassure you that you have made it.
You know, the spiritual life, our relationship and our friendship with God is a bit like finding that new location. We have to do our homework, we have to plan the way we want to go, we need to get some information. All of us together are on a journey, on a road, that leads to God. God and eternal life is our destination.
We are all pilgrims on the road of life. We have all been created by God, to know him, to love him, to serve him well and we hope to enjoy his company forever in eternal life.
As pilgrims, we are making our way through life, we need help, we need to talk to people who can help. We need to listen and learn how others are walking the same road to God with us.
That’s one reason why you are here at St. Anne’s Home today. This day will give you the opportunity to think and talk more deeply about life and what might be ahead for you. Today, we are reminding ourselves that we are “Pilgrims of Hope”. We are looking for the Signposts that point the way.
When we come to Mass, we listen to the scriptures, we listen to stories from the Bible, and there we receive God’s word, God’s advice, spoken through others to help us and advise us how to live well and follow God’s way.
Today’s Gospel, for example, tells us a lovely story of two people who went to the Temple to pray. The Pharisee was a well to do man, full of himself, telling God how good he was at obeying all that was required of him by the laws of the day.
The other man, the tax collector, sat quietly in a corner, aware of his sinfulness, and he simply said: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner”. We can see from that encounter in the Temple, the tax collector gained so much more from God and went home a happy man. That story should give us all great hope. God smiles and God forgives and he loves a humble sinner. We should remember that God loves us all very much and he is so happy when we open our hearts and speak to him simply.
Gospel stories, like the one we heard today are good signposts, they give us good advice and they point the way to God.
More recently, some of you will be aware of the Flame Event for young people held at the Wembley Arena two weeks ago on 15th March. Over 10,000 young people from many parishes throughout England, Wales and Ireland attended. The theme of this year’s event was: “Fan the Flame of Hope”, During the day, this event was filled with music, guest speakers, song, dance and prayer.
There was also a message to all the young people at the event from Pope Francis, and he said:- “By sharing the great gift of Hope that you have received with your families, friends and all those you meet, especially the most vulnerable and defenceless, you will surely fan a flame of Hope…for God believes in you”.
And more recently, during a Wednesday audience in Rome, Pope Francis again speaking about Hope said: “Let us not lose Hope…God is merciful, and awaits us always”. Words of hope and reassurance from Pope Francis can inspire us, lift us up and help us to keep going, even when the going is not so easy.
It’s good to know that events and meetings like the one held at the Wembley Arena two weeks ago can be good “signposts” where young people, like yourselves, have an opportunity to be well informed and filled with joy and hope, going forward. So this day here at St. Anne’s will be very special for you. The group work that you will take part in today with the advice and direction offered to you by the Team looking after you will be a good memory for you. They will guide your day and help you to think and reflect and maybe your love for the Lord will grow and deepen this Lent.
When we are young, there is much to think about, planning for the future ahead is always an anxious time. It is important to think about that future, seek good advice, plan wisely and put your lives into God’s hands. May the Holy Spirit guide and bless all that you will do here today, and in the months and years that lie ahead of you.
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