During the season of Lent, we lift up the traditional spiritual practices Jesus discusses in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6. So far this Lent, we have reflected on fasting and prayer.
This week, we consider alms giving. Alms are funds we give to people in need. Of course, Jesus discusses alms giving throughout the gospels as one way of loving our neighbor. But in his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautions the crowd from letting their right hand know what their left hand is doing. In other words, Jesus directs people to give in such a way that they do not think anything of their gift. They give generously out of concern for the neighbor instead of patting themselves on the back or saying to themselves: “Look how kind I am!” or “Look how generous I am!”
I invite us to put our faith in motion by considering how we might give of ourselves in relationship in addition to giving of our monetary resources. Thus, we bypass Jesus’ concern—that we might give to make ourselves look good. Consider this question:
How might I give of myself in relationship—in addition to giving my time and money?
A few years ago, we modified our heat respite mission statement to better align with our focus on community. The mission statement now reads:
Our mission during the summer months is to provide a space for heat relief while building community through the sharing of community resources, meals, water, and ourselves in a place of being, belonging, and becoming.
A true practice of alms giving means we enter into relationship with the person we desire to help. In so doing, we find life, life abundant, for ourselves too—because the one we want to help always has something to give back.
Your comments reflecting on the question are welcome!