Lent & Almsgiving
Lent is a solemn observation with a focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for six weeks leading up to Passion Week and Easter. It is generally observed by Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. For those who do not formally observe this intense time of focus on these three pillars of the Lenten season, I believe it would be correct for me to say that you hope to live a life that reflects them daily.
When I was young, all I knew of lent was that it was as a time of fasting – giving up chocolate, Fish Fry Fridays, and waiting for Easter so that I could gorge myself in a basket full of chocolate bunnies and marshmallow peeps. Boy did I get that wrong! As an adult, I now see what Lent truly represents to those who observe it and I’m sorry I didn’t recognize it as the devotion to Christian living it ought to reflect in a believer's life.
I recently received an email from a friend who shared that lent is a time to practice all of the principles above. That simply means there’s not a “pick one and go” option. To me it seems as though prayer and fasting are the easier ones to practice as they are predominantly inward actions that we can do in our secret place, while almsgiving stretches individuals to look outside of themselves and sometimes becomes something we choose to overlook, or we simply find excuses to avoid it.
As followers of Christ, we trust in His sacrifice on the cross to save us - the sacrifice that is celebrated on Easter Sunday. We also live lives revealing that we are being transformed into the image of Christ. One way we reflect Jesus is by serving those who are poor and needy, as we are called to do.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:31-40
As you reflect on Jesus during this season and as we move closer to Easter Sunday, consider how you practice almsgiving. Alight has a number of opportunities for you to give of yourself to a community of women and men in desperate need of help, healing, and hope.
- Volunteer your time. We are always looking for people to share their God-given gifts to advance the mission of Alight. In addition to client advocates, we are looking for someone who is able to donate a few hours a week to help with clerical tasks. Also, Spring is around the corner and soon we will need volunteers to help with Spring cleaning (indoor and outdoor). Click the GET INVOLVED or CONTACT tabs above for more information.
- Donate diapers and wipes. We are always in need of larger sized diapers. Under the GET INVOLVED tab you will see CENTER NEEDS. There you will see a growing list of items we could use at Alight - including Diapers and Wipes - Amazon will deliver them to us for you!
- Give a financial gift. Help us provide an ultrasound to a client, help keep our Medical Office open 30 hours a week, help us educate our young people, or help us reach women in need through our marketing efforts. Click on the DONATE tab above or the link below to invest in and be a part of Alight's Life-Saving Mission.
There are many reasons to donate to Alight, but the biggest one is to ensure that innocent lives are not lost. We are here to make a difference and help women feel encouraged, equipped, and empowered to choose life for their unborn babies.
Will you join us and provide help, healing, and hope to those who need it?