A closer look at almsgiving
With the distribution of this issue to the faithful of the Diocese of Birmingham, the Church is in the midst of the Lenten season. The One Voice has made it a custom to remind its readers of the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. From a young age, the Lenten practice of giving up something to which we are attached prevails for us Catholics, yet while it is true that fasting is undoubtedly an important aspect of preparing for the joy of Easter, the hyper focusing on “giving up” can result in a minimization of the other pillars. In an effort to shed a bit more light on the oft-forgotten pillars, almsgiving has been given emphasis in this issue.
With the distribution of this issue to the faithful of the Diocese of Birmingham, the Church is in the midst of the Lenten season. The One Voice has made it a custom to remind its readers of the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. From a young age, the Lenten practice of giving up something to which we are attached prevails for us Catholics, yet while it is true that fasting is undoubtedly an important aspect of preparing for the joy of Easter, the hyper focusing on “giving up” can result in a minimization of the other pillars. In an effort to shed a bit more light on the oft-forgotten pillars, almsgiving has been given emphasis in this issue.
When we think of almsgiving, our minds almost instinctively go to the giving of money, but that is only part of the equation. As Bishop Raica notes in his column for this issue, almsgiving is “a tangible manifestation of love for one’s neighbor.” In other words, the giving of alms should be viewed as our reaching out to people in need, responding to the teachings of Jesus, so while almsgiving most certainly involves monetary charity, alms also refer to our time and talents. Viewed in this way, Lent should be used as a time to foster a spirit of generosity.
As the life of the subject of this issue’s cover story so clearly and completely demonstrates, almsgiving is a conduit through which we are able to fully realize our role as a member of the Mystical Body of Christ. Shelley Douglass, co-founder of Alabama’s only Catholic Worker house, Mary’s House, has spent her life sharing her time, talent, and treasure with anyone who crosses her path, especially those on the fringes of society. For Douglass, as well as for her husband, Jim, almsgiving is simply living the Christian life, doing as Jesus instructed.
In a similar way, another couple featured in this issue has used their golden years of retirement to found and run a charity, spearheading missionary work in the Central American country of Belize. For the Rhonemuses, almsgiving has become their passion.
As we all journey through this Lenten season, striving for personal renewal, it is my hope that this issue will highlight the real possibility of living a life where almsgiving is a part of every day, recognizing, as Bishop Raica points out, and “serving Christ in those in need.”