Homily: February 24, 2024, Monday of the first week in lent

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 “Be careful, then, to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.”

To be careful, is to put care and attention into what we do. It is to be mindful, to be intentional.

This verse in the first reading today makes us reflect: we are ending the first week of Lent, have we been careful with our Lenten observances?

Lent is a beautiful season during which the church recommends all the faithful to put in extra effort into our spiritual life, so that we can advance in holiness, to come closer to God.

Abstinence, prayer, almsgiving, fasting. These are what we are called to practice every day of the year, but during Lent, these same activities are especially emphasized. We are called to be careful in doing these, to observe them with greater sincerity and effort.

For example, abstinence from meat on Fridays. It is such a very simple and easy act, to be in sync with the universal church, and in solidarity with those who do not even have proper meals on any day of their lives.

So, do we abstain from beef and chicken, but indulge in delicious fish and chips or perfectly grilled salmon? Or do we make a conscious effort to deny ourselves our favorite food and offer that small sacrifice as prayer for a child starving somewhere in the world?

You might think that such abstinence will not magically bring food to that child, but do you realize that this small, careful and intentional act may bring you into a mysterious spiritual communion with others in need and imbue in you a greater appreciation for the blessings you have received.

Do this with your family in a meaningful way and see how it might transform your children, your elders, your neighbors and over time, transform your relationships.

Another example, almsgiving. Most of you do tithing, so effectively that is already giving alms on a regular basis, isn’t it?

Recently, a friend shared with me his wisdom. She said tithing is giving from our regular income, a fraction of what we have received. Almsgiving is different, it is giving from the heart, not from surplus, it is giving from what we wanted to keep for ourselves. It is a sacrifice, it is giving with love. 

Mother Teresa said, “It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”

If I am skipping lunch which would usually cost $10, bearing some temporary hunger and giving that amount to charity or the church, it is almsgiving.

In the gospel today, Jesus challenges us further, he says, “For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?... what is unusual about that?”

I agree. And what is the unusual thing Jesus wants us to do?

Love our enemies.

Love as Christ loves. Give as God gives.

Serve as Christ serves. Forgive as God forgives.

May we continue this Lent growing in holiness and love, gradually becoming perfect as God is perfect. May we be careful in our abstaining, fasting, praying and almsgiving. Amen.


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