The Bible never explicitly declares that an age difference between couples is a sin. Rather, Scripture consistently emphasizes love, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to God as the foundation of any relationship. The true heart of God’s message is not about age gaps but about the condition of the heart, the intentions behind our actions, and how we reflect His love through our relationships. In the ultimate act of love and sacrifice, Christ bore our sins so that we might be reconciled with the Father.

As written in 2 Corinthians 5:21, God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us. Pope Benedict XVI described this act as a “turning of God against Himself,” underscoring the depth of divine love and sacrifice found in the paschal mystery. This wasn’t simply an act of punishment—it was an act of redemption rooted in grace, mercy, and the call to a higher purpose. This kind of divine love transcends superficial human concerns like age and instead demands our attention to spiritual maturity, humility, and compassion. In contrast to the noisy distractions of the world, where people chase after every new trend or topic without reflection, like the Athenians in Acts 17:21 who loved to hear and tell something new, God’s dialogue with us through Jesus is deeply meaningful.

He calls us not to engage in idle curiosity or shallow debates but to listen and respond to His love with sincerity and faith. In our modern age, this call can often be drowned out by the misuse of media and the constant pursuit of sensationalism. But God asks us to go deeper—to center our lives around the paschal mystery of Christ and respond to His love with action and integrity. Embracing this mystery should stir us to feel compassion for those who suffer, just as Christ suffered.

His crucifixion is echoed today in the lives of countless innocent victims of war, in attacks against the vulnerable from unborn children to the elderly, and in the brutality of human trafficking and exploitation. It is also seen in our disregard for the environment and the greed that drives us to hoard resources while others go without. These issues are not just societal—they are deeply spiritual, calling each of us to repentance, action, and love. God blesses us with material and spiritual gifts not so we may hoard them but to share them. Charity is not an option; it is a calling that expands our humanity. Almsgiving, especially during Lent, is a powerful way to reflect Christ’s love and bring about real change. Yet charity must go beyond individual acts—we must examine and reform the structures of our economy that contribute to inequality and suffering. With this in mind, a gathering in Assisi has been scheduled from March 26 to 28, bringing together young economists, entrepreneurs, and innovators to envision a more inclusive and just economic system.

The Church has long upheld that political engagement, when done with love and justice, is itself an act of charity, as emphasized by Pope Pius XI. The work of building a better world is not separate from faith—it is a vital expression of it. As we move through Lent, we are invited to reflect more deeply, not only on our own need for reconciliation with God but also on how we can become instruments of peace and justice in the world. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we draw nearer to Christ and become the salt of the earth and the light of the world, as He calls us to be. We ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us open our hearts and respond to God’s invitation. Through this transformation, we do not simply observe Lent as a ritual, but live it as a journey of renewal, drawing us closer to God and empowering us to serve others with love and courage.