Lent and conversion of the world

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OPINION

Rev. Fr. Lazar Arasu SDB

Lent seems to be starting early this year. We will be hearing our usual messages: 'Dust you are unto dust you shall return.' 'Repent, Renew, and Restart.'

It also calls for putting more love into our lives than before. Our faith and practices affect the world around us consciously and unconsciously. As global citizens, we can make a positive change in the world around us and beyond. Surely the message of Lent can help us to make a little change in ourselves and the world around us.

Though we are all little individuals, we share our lives with the larger world. As the world is more and more globalised and made small through media and technology, we impact the world and the world in turn impacts our lives. We cannot push aside war and conflict, thinking that it does not concern us. But it affects us in one way or another.

Late Pope Francis said, ‘Third world war is fought in piecemeal,’ meaning, there are numerous wars between individual nations and conflicts at the present moment. It also happens within nations, and it is particularly intense in African nations. People are killed in thousands, and people are made refugees in millions. The current situation of war and conflict in the world is one of “managed turbulence.” Though full-scale global war is not considered imminent, the world is grappling with numerous active conflicts that range from high-intensity stalemates to brutal ones such as Israel-Gaza, and other localised atrocities such as Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.

Unfortunately, the common thread is that most of these crises are prolonged for decades, with no clear path to resolution. People continue to suffer, and the countries get ruined.

Besides war, there are numerous global risks, as presented by the World Economic Forum as the most pressing global risks in 2026. They come in different sectors and forms such as: Geopolitical risks, such as geo-economic confrontation, state-based armed conflict and other related conflicts, all amounting to 33%. Economic risks such as economic downturn, debt, disruptions to critical infrastructure, major supply chain disruption, lack of economic opportunity or unemployment, concentration of strategic resources and technologies in selected areas, all amount to 19%.

Societal risks such as: societal polarisation, erosion of human rights and/or of civic freedoms, inequality, forced migration, decline in health and well-being, all amounting to 18%. Technological risks such as adverse outcomes of AI technologies, misinformation and disinformation, cyber insecurity all amount to 15%. And lastly and importantly, environmental risks such as: extreme weather events, critical change to earth systems, natural resource shortage and other environmental degradation, all amounting to 15%.

There are enormous problems in today’s world, and oftentimes they overwhelm us. The rich Western countries that have the ability to put an end to the war are often fueling the war rather than putting an end to it. January 2026 saw a significant surge in US international arms deals, with the Defence Security Cooperation Agency notifying Congress of US $22.5 billion in pending sales. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Singapore buy several billion dollars' worth of sophisticated arms. We cannot expect them to work for peace. It is the same with other European arms-producing countries.

The idea of converting the world can sound like an impossible task for individuals who are ordinary people. However, history and philosophy show us that the most significant and lasting transformations are often initiated by the smallest, but dedicated individuals with big visions. Converting the world does not necessarily mean changing everyone’s mind or belief system, but it means contributing to a shift in the world’s consciousness, values and directions. It has its roots in compassion, justice, and awareness.

Before changing the world, one must first look into one’s own inner world, which is often overlooked. As individuals, we are called to cultivate self-awareness of the world around us. We need to be persons of peace ourselves and direct our energy in the right direction. We can change the world by our own practice of compassion in little ways. If we want an honest world, we need to be honest ourselves as individuals. Commit to one’s own personal growth by cultivating patience, kindness, resilience, and courage. When we overcome our own flaws, we help the world to overcome its flaws. Our little act makes an impact on the collective human experience. When our heart and mind are stable, the world around us will be stable.

By practising radical kindness, listening to the needs and pains of people, by initiating meaningful conversations, sharing our little knowledge with others, and bringing together like-minded people for action, we create a positive world. We also need to consume consciously in the consumeristic world, use our democratic duties like voting responsibly, and use our creative skills in inspiring actions like art, poetry, drama, etc.

St. Paul’s poem on love from 1 Corinthians 13 continues to inspire us. Love is patient, kind, not self-seeking, does not envy, it is not proud, it protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. Though they sound simple and simplistic, they are profound, thoughtful and intense.

Lent is about a deeper love for God, which further inspiresus to love our neighbour.  The traditional practices of Lent—prayer, fasting and almsgiving are not just about earning God’s favour. They are spiritual and practical tools to empty ourselves of our self-interests, but look more into the needs and well-being of our neighbours.

The writer is Priest and School Administrator