Dear Friends,
We conclude our fall stewardship reflections this Sunday by pausing to look at how we are doing in thanking God for the gifts God has given us. In the history of the Church, this has focused on almsgiving and returning a “tithe” to the work of God in the world.
In his recent exhortation on love and care for the poor, Dilexi Te (I Have Loved You), Pope Leo said, Almsgiving at least offers us a chance to halt before the poor, to look into their eyes, to touch them and to share something of ourselves with them. In any event, almsgiving, however modest, brings a touch of pietas into a society otherwise marked by the frenetic pursuit of personal gain. In the words of the Book of Proverbs: “Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor”.
Both the Old and New Testaments contain veritable hymns in praise of almsgiving: “Be patient with someone in humble circumstances, and do not keep him waiting for your alms… Store up almsgiving in your treasury, and it will rescue you from every disaster”. Jesus himself adds: “Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys”.
Saint John Chrysostom is known for saying: “Almsgiving is the wing of prayer. If you do not provide your prayer with wings, it will hardly fly.” In the same vein, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus concluded one of his celebrated orations with these words: “If you think that I have something to say, servants of Christ, his brethren and co-heirs, let us visit Christ whenever we may; let us care for him, feed him, clothe him, welcome him, honor him…
Our love and our deepest convictions need to be continually cultivated, and we do so through our concrete actions. Remaining in the realm of ideas and theories, while failing to give them expression through frequent and practical acts of charity, will eventually cause even our most cherished hopes and aspirations to weaken and fade away. For this very reason, we Christians must not abandon almsgiving. It can be done in different ways, and surely more effectively, but it must continue to be done. It is always better at least to do something rather than nothing. Whatever form it may take, almsgiving will touch and soften our hardened hearts. It will not solve the problem of world poverty, yet it must still be carried out, with intelligence, diligence and social responsibility. For our part, we need to give alms as a way of reaching out and touching the suffering flesh of the poor.
I made a suggestion in an early Cabrini Community video, which I still think is good advice. Following the ancient custom of giving ten percent of my take home income back to God, I suggest you create your own small generosity fund. Put your ten percent in that account each month and then have fun giving that money away to others – your local parish, the Archdiocese, homeless shelters, food pantries, etc. The money is being given back to God through your support of those who are building up the Kingdom and helping those in need.
Pope Leo concludes his letter by saying, Christian love breaks down every barrier, brings close those who were distant, unites strangers, and reconciles enemies. It spans chasms that are humanly impossible to bridge, and it penetrates to the most hidden crevices of society. By its very nature, Christian love is prophetic: it works miracles and knows no limits. It makes what was apparently impossible happen. Love is above all a way of looking at life and a way of living it. A Church that sets no limits to love, that knows no enemies to fight but only men and women to love, is the Church that the world needs today. Through your work, your efforts to change unjust social structures or your simple, heartfelt gesture of closeness and support, the poor will come to realize that Jesus’ words are addressed personally to each of them: “I have loved you”
Peace,
Fr. Damian