For many of us, our first Lenten experiences centered on what we would give up. As little children, it was often candy. Later, it became more about television time and other forms of entertainment. A little sacrifice reminded me that I needed to refocus on God and strengthen my self-discipline in all things. 

Throughout my years of growing up and into adulthood, the focus during Lent was fasting and prayer. In addition to giving up things, we went to daily Mass, increased prayer time before and after meals, prayed the Stations of the Cross regularly, and more. Those are all important, and I still do them today to help me reflect on the wonder of a God who sent his Son to die for us. 

We did not spend as much time talking about the third pillar of Lent, which is almsgiving. The word itself comes from Greek and Latin, and it means “mercy” or “pity.” This Lent, I encourage all of us to think more about almsgiving and how it changes us as well as those we help.

As members of God’s family, we are called to help those who are in need. We are challenged to look at all we have, see it as a gift from God, and find ways to share our blessings by opening ourselves up to others in need. Almsgiving in a nutshell is using the blessings of God to help others. It is entering into God’s call to recognize the bounteous blessings we have been given and making an effort to see what God wants us to do with those blessings.

It is much easier to think of our money as ours. After all, we’ve earned it and worked hard for it, right? Along the way, we can forget that our success is ultimately a gift from God. Everything points back to our Creator. We may have been given a native intelligence, parents that developed us, contacts that opened doors for us, job opportunities that others didn’t have, and so on. 

How much of whatever success we enjoy do we attribute to God? How much of it do we see as God watching over us and directing us? And how much do we use our financial and personal gifts to make a difference for others and advance God’s kingdom here on Earth?

The big almsgiving effort for many of us in Lent is the Annual Appeal of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. It is a great way to help multiple charities and worthwhile causes throughout the archdiocese. I know many people who participate in the Rice Bowl from Catholic Relief Services to help fight hunger locally and around the world. There are also other Lenten food drives to help with or give to. We have one at Catholic Charities, and you should hear details through your parish about how you can help provide food for the hungry. 

Almsgiving doesn’t have to be huge or dramatic, but I encourage you to make it a part of your Lenten experience. Along with increased prayer and a greater sense of fasting and penance, it is important to think about how you can give back.

The real beauty of charity is that we not only help a neighbor, but we ourselves draw closer to God and become more the person God wants us to be. I have experienced this myself, and I see it every day in the work of Catholic Charities. When we give, we are changed. When we help others, we become more open to people’s needs. When we sacrifice a little of our own blessings to help others, we begin to feel less attached to material things and more attached to loving our neighbor. 

St. Francis wrote in his prayer that “it is in giving that we receive.” Jesus tells us the same thing in the Sermon on the Plain: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Luke 6:38)

I have a good friend who tells me that he doesn’t want to get to Heaven and have God ask him, “I gave you all these blessings… what did you with them?” only to have no good response. It may be worth taking time to reflect on that this Lent.

Instead, may we have a good response as in this life we give food, drink and clothing to those in need. May we welcome the stranger, and care for those who are sick or in prison. Then we will hear God say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34) 

Jesus opened the gates of Heaven through his own charity, dying on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and rising to eternal life three days later. May this be the focus of our prayer, fasting and almsgiving this Lent to help us fully appreciate the miracle and glorious celebration of Easter.

(Msgr. John Enzler, the president and CEO of Catholic Charities of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, writes the “Faith in Action” column for the archdiocese’s Catholic Standard and Spanish-language El Pregonero newspapers and websites.)