Acts of Charity

The love of God given in prayer comes to fruition in our caring for and sharing with others.

Praying with Clare of Assisi p.30

Clare of Assisi was a woman of Nobility. She sold her dowry in order to help those in need. She believed by being of service to others she is serving God. Like St. Francis of Assisi, Clare lived the Gospel by her life. Every action was a prayer. Almsgiving is a very important part of our Lenten Journey. It teaches us to love others as God loves us. 

During Lent, we 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." (USCCB-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

 Clare’s love of God and the poor is clear by her words. “We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become. If we love things, we become a thing. If we love nothing, we become nothing. Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ, rather it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation. This means we are to become vessels of God's compassionate love for others.” 

Look around you, your neighborhood, your workplace. How can you be of service?

May the Lord of Compassion open our eyes, our hearts to see and hear the cries of the poor and may I answer the call.

Happy Lent!

Peace and Grace.