Each month, Pope Leo invites us to enter into prayer with him and our global Church family. Join us in praying with the Pope.
Neighbours tend a community garden in Zimbabwe.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.
“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” These challenging words, from the book of Leviticus, will be repeated by Jesus when he teaches the greatest commandments of the love of God and neighbour.
At the heart of the Christian faith is the conviction that our life with God and our life with others are one. As our gospel reminds us, it is in showing compassion to others that we care for Jesus himself.
Our sisters and brothers who are vulnerable or experiencing poverty are, as Pope Leo writes in Dilexi Te “Not only objects of our compassion, but teachers of the Gospel,” in whom “Christ is revealed and adored.”
Reflecting on what it means to be a good neighbour, Shorai from Zimbabwe offers these heartfelt words: “A good neighbour is someone who can help me in periods of need, a good neighbour is someone who can lift me when I'm drowning.
“A good neighbour is someone who is willing to share ideas. A good neighbour is someone who is laughing. It gives the spirit of togetherness as a community, and also it demonstrates love for each other.”
This Lent, let’s pray for the grace to truly encounter Jesus in our care for our global family.
Prayer
God of encounter,
may we see the face of your Son
in our global neighbours,
as we seek to show your love
in all we do and say.
Amen.
Act
Each month Pope Leo XIV invites the Church to pray for a specific intention. Find out more about this month’s intention and how you can join the Holy Father in prayer.