Lent: A time to love

BY: ALISTAIR T GOGODO CMM

The first quarter of the year is marked predominantly by a strong sense of love, be it in secular or religious circles. In the secular world, we recently celebrated Valentine’s Day, which has now become more about spending than about showing genuine affection for one another. But the kind of love I’m concerned about is that love which emanates from the Father and the sacrificial lamb Jesus. How can we take that love and channel it to others?

Ash Wednesday takes us back to the reality of our human vulnerability to death, and our need for forgiveness for the sins we have committed. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. These 40 days are meant to draw us closer to God, to remember those in need, to count our blessings, literally, one by one, and to seek forgiveness for our sins.

It is during this time that most staunch and loyal Catholics abstain from meat and fast on Fridays. We do this to remind ourselves of the love the Father had for us, that he gave his Son to die for our sins on the cross so as to secure our redemption.

This is well and good, but do we Catholics take the time to consider the plight of the poor or to show genuine concern for those in need of assistance?

Somehow our actions and behaviour are not always convincing—not compared with the Muslims, for example. When they celebrate the mysteries of their faith, they really go out of their way to express their love for the Supreme Being in their love for the less fortunate.

Remember those beggars on the street whom we despise and think are filthy? What have we ever done to change that? Even during Lent most of us choose to turn a blind eye to them, at the very time we are supposed to be closer to them.

If Jesus were you, would he not take the last item of clothing from his back to give to that same person whom you despise so much? What about a simple meal? How many of us cook more than we can consume and end up throwing away the leftovers? Couldn’t we be so loving, kind and considerate as to pack that food and give to the first person we meet who is in need of something to eat? Better still, can we not open our homes to the poor and share a meal and fellowship with them in the way Jesus would have?

Many of us have clothes which we have not worn for a long time. Some have clothes and shoes which have never been worn. Can we not give ours to the needy?

It is easy to throw away worn-out clothes. Let us rather sacrifice our good clothes to those who could make better use of them. The poor also love cool jeans and fancy dresses. Let us recognise our humanity in them by sharing our treasures with them.

Why don’t we just become the other Christ and also give till it hurts? If God could be so selfless as to sacrifice his only Son for us, why can we not do the same for our less fortunate brothers and sisters?

Jesus willingly gave up his throne to redeem you and me, and your showing your appreciation will go a long way to proving that his death for us was not in vain.

As Catholics, we hide glibly behind the story of “I donate to St Vincent de Paul every year” or “I give a lot of money to the Church”, or I do this, I do that. Well, news flash: that’s good, but not enough.

Let’s be honest, in our giving, we Catholics do not always give the best to the poor. We give that which we no longer need. In most cases, when money is donated, it is done with a surplus, so that bank balances are not strained, holiday plans not upset and luxuries not compromised. My Lenten appeal to each and every one of us this Lenten season is to remember always the love of God. God gave the most precious gift without any reservations. Thanks to that sacrifice you and I are redeemed. Why not also, in your privilege express the same love to your fellow brothers and sisters who have none of what you have?

A little also goes a long way. For the coming 40 days of Lent out of the 365 days of the year, the Church and God himself asks you to give till it hurts no more, and you will be the receiver. As Catholics in this Lenten season, let us also run soup kitchens for the street kids and shelter those without shelter. Let us practise the selfless and compassionate love of God.

This year, let Lent be different for ourselves, our families, our parishes, our communities and for the Church in South Africa. This Lent let us go beyond the confines of race, religion, tribe, denomination or any other constraints there might be, in helping others. Let’s proclaim the crucified, risen and loving Christ to everyone through our good deeds.