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As we begin our journey through the Great Fast this week, there are many things that we should call to mind, including almsgiving.
The act of giving alms is an ancient one and makes up one of the three pillars of Lenten discipline, the others being prayer and fasting.
There are many reasons why we are asked to give of our financial treasures. Charity is certainly the first goal of almsgiving. It is through the exercise of charity toward those less fortunate than ourselves that we can grow in concern and ultimately in love of our neighbors. Charity, otherwise referred to as love, is the greatest of the three theological virtues, the others being faith and hope.
Why is love so important to the Christian life? St. Matthew tells us in his Gospel (22:35-40) that Christ commands us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Holy Trinity is the communion of God’s love that we strive to imitate with each other.
Almsgiving also has a characteristic of making someone’s life better through your gift. This may be through a donation to an individual homeless person or to a shelter that helps people who struggle with basic necessities.
Donations can also be given to the church, who then gives aid to those in need.
Sometimes our gifts to the church also fund important evangelization and religious education efforts of the bishop, such as the Eparchy of Parma’s 2018-19 Annual Stewardship Appeal, “I Believe.”
To all who have supported our annual appeal so far, thank you. Your generosity has been felt and is greatly appreciated.
For those of you who have not yet given, there is still time. Please prayerfully consider whether our Lord is calling you to a sacrificial and charitable gift to the eparchy during this Great Fast.
We are inching closer to our goal, but still have a great deal to go. With your support, I know we can reach the amount needed for the eparchy to meet its obligations. Please pray for guidance and courage to support the church.
As published in Horizons, March 3, 2019.
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