ARCHBISHOP John Bathersby of Brisbane hopes Lent can become a “magnificent preparation” for the archdiocese’s Pray 2010 gathering.
In his Lenten Pastoral Letter, Archbishop Bathersby has drawn on the example of Christ’s life to highlight the importance of prayer in the spiritual life of the archdiocese.
Archbishop Bathersby wrote this was because “the season of Lent … is a season for prayer and fasting”.
“It leads us into the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ enabling us to focus on Jesus as our Lord and Saviour,” Archbishop Bathersby (pictured) said.
“Lent belongs to the spiritual rhythm of the Church, and year after year it leads us back to the very centre of our faith, Jesus Christ.”
Prayer was always at the centre of Christ’s mission and “the foundation of his good news”, the archbishop said.
Christ’s prayer at his baptism in the Jordan, his prayers over sick and suffering people, for the success of his apostles, in the Garden of Gethsemane, for those people ridiculing and tormenting him and finally for the criminals crucified alongside him, were among examples given in the pastoral letter.
Archbishop Bathersby said the shortness of life should encourage the faithful “to enter into a closer relationship with Jesus in order to know him better”.
He also highlighted the significance of the coming Pray 2010 gathering.
“The key to such knowledge is prayer, and Lent this year is focussed in a special way on prayer that we will explore in a national gathering July 7 to 10 named, ‘Pray 2010’,” he said.
“The gathering will allow us to listen to a variety of speakers, men and women from Australia and different parts of the world, who are experts on prayer, and who will teach us its importance.
“They will explain to us how Jesus prayed, how they pray, and how we can learn to pray by focussing on Jesus and listening to them.”
Archbishop Bathersby said it was important not to “neglect” the opportunity provided by Lent of a special time for prayer and fasting.
He also entreated the faithful “to make an extra effort this Lent to participate in our great prayer of the Church, the Mass”.
