GENERAL AUDIENCE: LENT, THE TIME OF RECONCILIATION

VATICAN CITY, FEB 17, 1999 (VIS) - "With the solemn ceremony of receiving ashes, today marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten itinerary" which, in the Year of the Father, "is an invitation to (receive) divine mercy," said the Pope in today's general audience held in the Paul VI Hall.

John Paul II recalled that in the parable of the prodigal son, which speaks of the "tender mercy of the Heavenly Father," there are three moments "with which each one of us, in a certain way, identifies when we give in to temptation and fall into sin."

The first moment is the "distancing of ourselves from God," which happens when we misuse the talents received from Him; the second is conversion, when people "becoming aware of what they have lost, take the decisive step to come to their senses"; the third moment is the return to the Father's house, "the feast of forgiveness and joy."

"At the beginning of Lent," continued the Holy Father, "it is important to prepare ourselves to receive the gift of divine mercy in abundance. ... The Church indicates prayer, penance, fasting and charitable acts as means by which we can enter into an atmosphere of true personal and community renewal."

"We can say that Lent is the special time of God's concern for the forgiveness of our sins: it is the time of reconciliation. Thus, he ended, "this is the most appropriate time to approach the Sacrament of Penance."

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