Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Christ became poor for your sake” (2 Cor 8,9) is the theme of the Holy Father's Message for Season of Lent 2008 which starts on Ash Wednesday 6 February. “For this year's message- the Pope writes -, I wish to spend some time reflecting on the practice of almsgiving, which represents a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods…Almsgiving helps us to overcome this constant temptation, teaching us to respond to our neighbour’s needs and to share with others whatever we possess through divine goodness”. Even the early Church took special collections to help the poor, as a gesture of ecclesial communion. In Lent these collections are a sign of spiritual purification.
“ In the Gospel, Jesus explicitly admonishes the one who possesses and uses earthly riches only for self” says the Pope who recalls the grave responsibility of Christians in countries where they are a majority: to assist the multitudes who live in poverty and neglect, “to come to their aid is a duty of justice even prior to being an act of charity ”. Another characteristic of Christian almsgiving indicated in the Gospel is that it must be hidden. Awareness that “ Everything, then, must be done for God’s glory and not our own. This understanding, dear brothers and sisters, must accompany every gesture of help to our neighbour, avoiding that it becomes a means to make ourselves the centre of attention… In today’s world of images, attentive vigilance is required, since this temptation is great”.
Benedict XVI continued: “ Almsgiving, according to the Gospel, is not mere philanthropy: rather it is a concrete expression of charity, a theological virtue that demands interior conversion to love of God and neighbour, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who, dying on the cross, gave His entire self for us… There is little use in giving one’s personal goods to others if it leads to a heart puffed up in vainglory: for this reason, the one, who knows that God 'sees in secret' and in secret will reward, does not seek human recognition for works of mercy.”
Scripture teaches that “there is more joy in giving than in receiving” says the Pope and he explains: “ Every time when, for love of God, we share our goods with our neighbour in need, we discover that the fullness of life comes from love and all is returned to us as a blessing in the form of peace, inner satisfaction and joy. Our Father in heaven rewards our almsgiving with His joy”. Moreover “ Saint Peter includes among the spiritual fruits of almsgiving the forgiveness of sins... As the Lenten liturgy frequently repeats, God offers to us sinners the possibility of being forgiven. The fact of sharing with the poor what we possess disposes us to receive such a gift… By drawing close to others through almsgiving, we draw close to God; it can become an instrument for authentic conversion and reconciliation with Him and our brothers”.
The Season of Lent, also with the practice of almsgiving, inspires Christians to follow the example of Jesus, who gave his life on the cross: “ In His school, we can learn to make of our lives a total gift; imitating Him, we are able to make ourselves available, not so much in giving a part of what we possess, but our very selves. Cannot the entire Gospel be summarised perhaps in the one commandment of love? The Lenten practice of almsgiving thus becomes a means to deepen our Christian vocation. In gratuitously offering himself, the Christian bears witness that it is love and not material richness that determines the laws of his existence. Love, then, gives almsgiving its value; it inspires various forms of giving, according to the possibilities and conditions of each person.”. Benedict XVI concludes “ In giving alms, we offer something material, a sign of the greater gift that we can impart to others through the announcement and witness of Christ, in whose name is found true life”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/1/2008; righe 44, parole 637)
