This Lent, Behold a New Creation Every year at the Solemn Vigil of Easter, the Church welcomes new members into the Body of Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism. This Sacrament initiates persons into the community of faith and unites them with Christ’s ministry. Descending into water, which can both destroy and sustain life, catechumens share in Christ’s death; rising from water, they share in His Resurrection to new life. Made new in Christ, baptized persons are called to be Resurrection people, co-creators of life. Many of our choices bring death to ourselves, to our fellow human persons, and to the rest of creation. On the Fifth Sunday of Easter, we hear God proclaim, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5). Practicing Eco-Penance during Lent: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving Francis understood that creation is a self-expression of God’s fruitful and self-giving love. As the Trinity is a loving Communion of Persons, so we are called to relate to God and all creatures in loving communion. Whereas sin tears at relationships, penance brings us to a new familial relatedness. As Francis expressed in his exhortation to the brothers and sisters in penance: Oh, how happy and blessed are these men and women when they do these things and persevere in doing them, because “the spirit of the Lord will rest upon them” (cf. Is 11:2) and he will make “his home and dwelling among them” (cf. Jn 14:23), and they are the sons of the heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5:45), whose works they do, and they are the spouses, brothers, and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Mt 12:50). In addition to reflections on the readings for each Sunday of Lent, our weekly resource includes ways of practicing “eco-penance”: PRAYER – We raise our voices as the consciousness of creation in contrition, thanksgiving, and praise. FASTING – Our abstinence from various earthly goods provides space to consider whether our individual and social relationships with these goods are just and loving or in need of conversion. ALMSGIVING – We find inspiration and encouragement in the witness of those who strive to live out merciful right relationship with God’s creation. We hope that these penitential practices will prepare us to respond to the gift of our salvation which we commemorate at Easter with renewed commitment to acting on our care for creation. As you make use of these resources personally or in small groups, please send us feedback and stories on how they have helped you become more attentive to bringing forth a new and renewed creation! May this season deepen our joy in reconciliation with God and with all of creation!