Living out pillars of Lent in the family
As we head into the season of Lent, we’re challenged as Catholics to spend time in prayer, fast, and give alms. But what does almsgiving really mean, and why do we do it?
In a nutshell, almsgiving strengthens our love for others, helps us practice detachment from earthly things (similar to fasting) and fosters social justice. And while it’s often viewed as giving money to the poor, it’s really more than that. Almsgiving encourages us to prioritize the needs of others.
A quote from St. Theresa of Calcutta in “Mother Teresa: In My Own Words,” edited by José Luis González-Balado, sums it up well:
“Let us not be satisfied by just giving money. Money is not everything. The poor need the work of our hands, the love of our hearts.… To smile at someone who is sad; to visit someone who is lonely; to give someone shelter from the rain; to read something for someone who is blind: these and others can be small things, but they are appropriate to give our love of God concrete expression to the poor.”
Those of us from a certain era might remember the rice bowls we brought home from Catholic school or Catechism class that were used to collect coins from family members to support overseas missionary work. Don’t get me wrong — these can be a valuable, tangible reminder on our kitchen tables that there are many children across the globe who don’t even have a bowl of rice to eat.
However, for my husband, my children and me, serving people closer to home has been a richer experience. One Lent, we prepared and served food at a Salvation Army shelter. It was early March, and men and women came through the doors wearing layers of crumpled clothing, worn coats and gloves with holes. We dished out hot meals and handed out ham-and-cheese sandwiches to take with them. Watching them tuck numerous sandwiches into their pockets was a stark reminder that they didn’t know where their next meal would come from, while we had plenty of food in our refrigerators at home.
Another year, we sorted donations at the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse in New Holstein so that supplies could be sent to Caribbean nations impacted by natural disasters. Other years, we organized shelves at the local food pantry, shoveled snow for an elderly neighbor, cared for someone’s children at no charge, or volunteered at church fundraisers. Without a doubt, when we performed almsgiving that took our time, effort and a bit of coordination, it always had a greater impact than simply putting money in a rice bowl or a check in an envelope.
Now my children are grown, and I’m not yet sure what my husband and I will “do” this Lent. But I do know this: It will be something that takes our time, because, frankly, time is the most precious gift we have to give.