Fasting jogs our hearts; it leads to stewarding of our desires, passions, and time. Prayer illumines our souls and manifests the truth of our talents (gifts). Finally, all of this leads to bold action as authentic disciples by urging us to share of ourselves. And this sharing comes in the form of our treasure resources.
There is a certain bite to this discipline. Outside of our very bodies, there is little else that attains our sense of possessiveness as much as personal income. Wealth is based first in possessions that enhance life: house, clothing, food in ample supply. There is a long history where currency or precious metals (gold, silver) have served as an acceptable medium of exchange and, as such, a measure of a person’s social worth. In antiquity it was held that wealth was meted out to wealthy by birth and the poor also by birth. Modernity changed this by providing the means whereby a person can acquire legitimate wealth by the exchange of personal genius, diligence, or good luck with other social goods. The rags-to-riches myth (Horatio Alger) is alive and real for us! Revamped versions of this story are “Slumdog Millionaire” and the Bill Gates story. Anything that strikes against this attainment is considered blasphemous. Almsgiving is such a counter-cultural and counter-intuitive mode of living.
The gospel is the foundation of almsgiving. Jesus’ message is that there is an abundance of the goods we truly seek. He is a realist but in a very strange way. His wisdom is: what goes around comes around (Mt 7:2, Mk 4:24, Lk 6:38). This is not naïve behavior but an attitude of generosity born from gratitude, well aware that my giving will never outdo the good that the Lord will return to me. God’s good return will be most suited by my true needs.
Who dares to test this out? The disciple of Christ does. For we disciples learn that God is trustworthy and ever faithful. Until I have looked closely enough to discern how well I have been blest, I will never begin almsgiving; thus the first step of almsgiving is acknowledging my God-given gifts. And until I step out in trust by sharing (by donating), I shall never know the miracle of the divine return. Lent provides an opportunity for me to consciously engage in this disciple practice. It is a conscious act, yes, counter-cultural to the core, therefore it doesn’t happen accidentally or incidentally. I need to sit down and calculate my sharing of income, a calculation based on spiritual daring and prudential stewardship. This intentional donating will be a sign of God’s glory. Why else would I dare to give that much leeway in my life?
Are you and I are ready for this? Then Lent pushes me and gives me a rationale to be counter-cultural as a disciple. Christ is my reference and my Lord. This adventure will lead me to a whole new way of living life…beyond Lent into an Easter of hope: what goes around comes around.
Lent in practical terms: giving alms
