The claim that the Bible teaches an age difference between couples is a sin is simply not true. Nowhere in Scripture is there any condemnation of a relationship based solely on age disparity. What the Bible consistently emphasizes is the moral and spiritual integrity of the relationship—love, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to God. Relationships are judged by the fruit they bear, not the number of years separating two people.
The core message of the Bible goes far deeper than external traits like age; it focuses on the condition of the heart, the choices we make, and how we treat one another in light of God’s love. At the very heart of that love is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21, was made to bear our sins so that we might be reconciled with God. This profound act of love, as Pope Benedict XVI described, was a “turning of God against himself”—a divine expression of love so radical that God willingly bore the weight of humanity’s sin to redeem us. This love extends even to God’s adversaries, as reflected in Matthew 5:43–48, where Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. The depth of this love invites us into a personal and transformative dialogue with God through the paschal mystery of His Son—not empty or idle talk, but a conversation of the heart.
This kind of divine dialogue stands in stark contrast to the behavior of the Athenians mentioned in Acts 17:21, who spent their time obsessing over novelty for novelty’s sake. That kind of superficial curiosity, which continues today through the misuse of social media and other forms of distraction, keeps us from truly engaging with the spiritual life we’re called to live. Instead of chasing the next big thing or falling into meaningless debates, God asks us to focus on what matters most: living in communion with Him and reflecting His love through our actions. Centering our lives around the paschal mystery doesn’t just change how we pray—it changes how we live.
It awakens in us a deeper sense of compassion for those who suffer, just as Christ suffered on the cross. His pain is echoed in the modern world: in victims of war, in the unborn and the elderly who are often devalued, in the many forms of violence that continue to plague society. This suffering also includes environmental destruction, the unfair distribution of resources, and the exploitation of human beings through trafficking and greed.
In a culture where profit is too often idolized, we must remember that our blessings were never meant to be hoarded. Acts of generosity—especially through almsgiving—are a tangible expression of love and an antidote to the self-centeredness that can imprison us. Charity humanizes us; greed diminishes us. This is why we must also look beyond personal generosity and address systemic issues. From March 26 to 28, a special gathering in Assisi will bring together young economists, entrepreneurs, and innovators to discuss how we can build a more equitable and inclusive economic system. As the Church has long taught, political engagement rooted in love and justice is not only valid—it’s essential. As Pope Pius XI once said, working for the common good is a true expression of charity. During this Lenten season, let us ask for the intercession of Mary Most Holy, that our hearts may be softened to respond to God’s call for reconciliation. May we draw close to the paschal mystery and enter into honest, open dialogue with God, allowing ourselves to be transformed by His grace. Through this transformation, we can become what Christ called us to be: the salt of the earth and the light of the world, bearing witness to His truth in a world that desperately needs it.
