Lenten reflection 2 : Charity

 3 March 2017

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Charity

Today's scripture reading from Is 58: 1-9a tells us that there should be no double standards as far as doing good is concerned. God lays out very clearly what is acceptable and right in His eyes:
                  to free the oppressed
                  to clothe the naked
                  to feed the hungry and
                  shelter the homeless

Yes, to help the marginalized in our society. Our fast lives have us always on the go, checking our emails, our smart phones, our bank accounts that we do not have the eyes or the time for the less fortunate. 

Lent is the time for us to stop, reflect, to open our eyes to look at the reality of life, of ourselves; to take stock of all our blessings and be grateful for them. If all that we have are so freely and graciously given to us, then we should do our part to share with our fellow human beings and all of God's creation in whatever ways we can. Charity unites us to God and in giving, we receive more; it may not be in physical measure but in the way we live our everyday lives.     

The Psalmist sings: "A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn." A reminder for us to be truly sorry for our sins, and to make a conscious effort not to sin again so as to obtain and experience God's mercy.   

Fasting is a good way for us to identify with the poor.  In the Gospel of Mt 9:14-15, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their way of fasting because they only follow the laws blindly, without God in their hearts. True fasting helps us to control our impulse to sin; it is to do the will of the Heavenly Father, who "sees everything in secret and will reward you." Jesus himself taught us after his temptation by the devil to turn stones into bread that "man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God".

                            What does love look like?
                            It has the hands to help others.
                            It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy.
                            It has the eyes to see misery and want.
                            It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.
                            That is what love looks like.

                                                   - St Augustine -