Opening the Vatican\u2019s Lenten spiritual exercises, the Norwegian Cistercian bishop warned against weaponizing the Gospel in culture wars.<\/p>\n
Norwegian Cistercian Bishop Erik Varden opened the Vatican\u2019s annual Lenten spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia by urging Christians to resist using the Gospel as a political weapon and to measure authentic faith by fidelity to Christ \u2014 and by the peace believers embody.<\/p>\n
\u201cFidelity to Christ\u2019s example and commandments is the hallmark of Christian sincerity,\u201d Varden said in his first meditation, delivered in the Pauline Chapel during the retreat for Pope Leo XIV and members of the Curia, which began Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe extent of the peace we embody \u2014 that signal peace \u2018which the world cannot give\u2019 \u2014 indicates Jesus\u2019 abiding presence in us,\u201d he continued. \u201cWe must insist on this now, when the Gospel is sometimes deployed as a weapon in culture wars.\u201d<\/p>\n
Varden called on Christians to contest \u201cinstrumentalizations of Christian language and signs,\u201d not merely with indignation but by teaching what real spiritual struggle looks like.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstrumentalizations of Christian language and signs should be challenged, not just by wan outrage but by teaching the terms of authentic spiritual warfare,\u201d he said. \u201cFor Christian peace is not a promise of ease; it is a condition for transformed society.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the same meditation, Varden pointed to anger as a spiritual danger, citing St. John Climacus: \u201cThere is no greater obstacle to the presence of the Spirit in us than anger.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also reflected on the Church\u2019s Lenten discipline as a \u201cprogram\u201d marked by clarity and peace: Lent \u201cconfronts us with essentials,\u201d he said, stripping away distractions and inviting \u201can abstinence of the senses,\u201d while still calling believers to battle vice and harmful passions with a straightforward \u201cyes, yes,\u201d and \u201cno, no.\u201d<\/p>\n
Varden noted the Church\u2019s liturgy sets that tone from the outset of Lent, pointing to the traditional chant of Psalm 90 (91), \u201cQui Habitat,\u201d sung on the first Sunday of Lent as the Gospel recounts Christ\u2019s temptation in the wilderness.<\/p>\n
Later Monday, Varden was scheduled to deliver two additional meditations, including reflections on St. Bernard of Clairvaux and on God\u2019s help.<\/p>\n
This story\u00a0was first published\u00a0by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n