Every child who, rather than being born, is condemned unjustly to being aborted, bears the face of Jesus Christ, bears the face of the Lord, who even before he was born, and then just after birth, experienced the world’s rejection. And every elderly person…even if he is ill or at the end of his days, bears the face of Christ. They cannot be discarded, as the ‘culture of waste’ suggests!

The Lord never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.

Things have a price and can be for sale. But people have a dignity that is priceless and worth far more than things.

We don't have to expect everything from those who govern us; that would be juvenile.

We pray for the many brothers and sisters who seek refuge far from their native lands, who seek a home where they can live without fear: that they might always be respected in their dignity.

Indifference to our neighbour and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians. Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience.

We need courage if we are to be faithful to the Gospel.