‘DOING’ AT LENT

 

The Church prescribes prayer, fasting and almsgiving as three disciplines to ‘do’ for spiritual benefits. Too much in the recent past Catholics have shifted to the interior dimensions from the exterior, i.e. faith-in-action. Christianity is not about attitudes, ideas, intentions and principles. Lent is about ‘doing’ prayer, fasting and almsgiving that involve both the body and the mind.  More than the interior spiritual progress, we are called to ‘do’ and by doing we draw closer to God’s holiness. Jesus did, and doing so, he preached. He “put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’” He looked up to his Father and inserted his fingers into the man’s ears, created – as Bishop Barron says – a ‘current’,  to plug him into the divine energy.

 

Changing a mind (attitude) is not same as changing a beggar’s economic status.  You need to be ‘mindless’ for doing the change. What, therefore, is needed is a change of mind to ‘do’, than to philosophize.   Instead of being passive by-stander, mind-changes will find expression in action – which is  a change of heart that loves concretely. Doing something that makes my heart change. Doing a charity is a fact, based on time, space and person.  This sums up the single commandment: “ “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might, and with all your mind… and you shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

 

The single condition for Christian discipleship is ‘doing good’ for God,  turning other-centric from personal ego and needs, projects and plans. More than moral reform, Lenten metanoia has to do with ‘doing’ – a fuller consciousness of being through ‘works of mercy’. It is ‘gut-wrenching’ to follow Christ who demands that we deny ourselves and take up our daily crosses and follow him. The cross means, dying to mere ‘thinking’, and rising to active living. Crucifying of the ego, involves ‘walking’ – moving up to the Calvary.

The mass shift towards interior spirituality and prayer of the Catholic crowd is a large part of the problem of non-practice of ‘works of mercy’. The ‘raucous voices’ of the majority, the brazen bray of the  market culture of spirituality, the babbling Babel of religious ritualism — makes us deaf to ‘doing God’s work’. Therefore, we have to shift and move towards Lenten almsgiving. Away from the common crowd, and beyond the ritualistic Lenten liturgy, we can concretely ‘do’ something for the poor and the needy. Similarly, the Lenten fasting, going beyond the hunger for God, is all about emptying the stomach in order to fill the stomach of the hungry. The danger lies in spiritualizing the same, and forgetting to satisfy the physical hunger of the poor for food and drink. Self-fasting has to spur the  deepest desire to satisfy the hunger of another being.

During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on "almsgiving," which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is "a witness to fraternal charity" and "a work of justice pleasing to God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462). More than just an interior spiritual journey lent is  a time when we actively engage in acts of charity, works of mercy, and almsgiving. Almsgiving is the ‘heart’ of Lent. It is not merely about dropping a few coins into the donation basket. It’s a profound act of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others. The Greek term for almsgiving means “mercy,” and it extends beyond material possessions. It’s about giving of ourselves—our time, talents, and resources—to alleviate the suffering of those in need ¹.

Here are few practical suggestions, let’s try to do them: consider donating the money you’d spend on daily indulgences, to a charitable cause. Redirecting these funds can help us grow in mercy and justice during Lent ¹.

The Corporal Works of Mercy:

• Feeding the Hungry: Providing food to those who go without nourishment.
• Giving Drink to the Thirsty: Ensuring access to clean water for the parched.
• Clothing the Naked: Offering warmth and dignity to those lacking proper attire.
• Harbouring the Homeless: Welcoming the displaced and vulnerable.
• Visiting the Sick: Bringing comfort and companionship to the infirm.
• Ransoming the Captive: Advocating for justice and freedom.
• Burying the Dead: Showing compassion to grieving families ².

Detachment and Mercy:

• Almsgiving helps us practice detachment from earthly possessions. It’s not just about giving away material goods; it’s about giving of ourselves. When we extend our hands to those in need, we mirror God’s love and mercy.
• Witness to Fraternal Charity: Almsgiving is one of the three pillars of Lenten practice. It’s a work of justice that pleases God. By sharing our blessings, we become a living testimony to fraternal charity ³.

Practical Ways to Give Alms

• Time: Volunteer at a local shelter, spend time with the elderly, or mentor a child.
• Talents: Use your skills—whether it’s cooking, teaching, or repairing—to benefit others.
• Money: Contribute to charitable organizations or directly assist those in need.
• Prayer: Pray for those suffering and offer spiritual support.⁴

In summary, Lent invites us to move beyond introspection and embrace a radical love that reaches out to our fellow human beings. Let our acts of charity, works of mercy, and almsgiving be a testament to our faith and compassion.