LENTEN PRACTICES: PRAYER, FASTING AND ALMSGIVING

The word Lent, from the Anglo-Saxon lenctenI, means spring, and is a time when we grow in the love of Christ in our hearts as we journey towards Easter.  In Lent, we have three primary practices that we as Catholics are called to: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.  These three practices are not meant as a sacrifice for suffering but are to be designed to help us order our hearts to the joy of Easter. Almsgiving is one of the things that seems the easiest for us to take part in each year.  But it is important to remember that this is more than just giving some extra money to the church or adding the Rice Bowl to your table.  Almsgiving is the reminder that we are the body of Christ, and that we do not just need to take care of ourselves, but we need to take care of others in the body as well.  There are lots of ways to care for those who need our help and need the message of Christ in their lives.  Almsgiving in Lent is a way to give of ourselves for the betterment of others, and each of us is going to be called in different ways this year.  Have you taken time to listen to how Christ is calling you to give ofyourself this year? (To be continued…)

Father Maria Joseph Kodiganti