Lent: time to find hidden treasures

BY ANTHONY GATHAMBIRI IMC – Welcome to Lent, brothers and sisters. It is a season of calming down and giving ourselves good introspection. Only by examining ourselves can Lent have a meaning in our lives and our faith.

If it’s gossip or imprudence that brings disharmony, then it’s time to do something about it. If it’s liquor that brings conflict into the family, then it’s time to do something about it. If it’s swearing that hurts a daughter or a grandson, then it’s time to do something about it. If it’s outside relationships that hurts a family, then it’s time to do something about it.

We have to own Lent and make it a time to move from behaviours which distance us from God and our neighbours. We have to deal with our various predilections and addictions that damage our fellowship with God and neighbours.

Lent is also a time for focusing on what is good within us. We possess talents which we might not realise we have. We are sitting on these good elements. Our introspection can help us identify strengths which we might not realise we have.

It’s through introspection that we can hear the voice of that friend who once told us that our food is always yummy, or we might discern the fruits of good advice we have given.

When we know what is good within us, we can then share what we have with those who don’t. That too is almsgiving!

Of course, almsgiving should not be limited to the 40 days of Lent. Lent is a time to inspect how we give alms, and how often, and to put these insights into action throughout the year.

There is a tendency to look at alms in material terms, and these are indeed very important. But a kind word to a heartbroken colleague also is an act of giving alms. Helping a student understand calculus could be seen as almsgiving, so is helping your neighbour prepare biryani for a special ceremony, or just washing the pots.

Almsgiving is everyone’s call, and it is possible irrespective of material wealth.