The word “eleémosuné” is probably not in most people’s everyday vocabulary.  I wrote my master’s dissertation on this Greek word at The Catholic University of America.  I drew attention to the way in which it developed from being associated with “mercy” and “compassion” to “almsgiving.”  It led to my doctoral work on the Book of Tobit.  And so, I have an attraction towards the concept and its context.

Almsgiving may be called one of the three pillars of Lent alongside prayer and fasting.  Our Scripture brings them together for us (Mt 6:1-18).  The importance of these practices also holds a prominent place in Judaism which undoubtedly gave rise to the Christian association.

I have often heard people speak about “fasting” and the different ways in which this may be practiced other than with food.  No fewer connections could be made regarding almsgiving.  We can make that link using the three elements in which we can be asked to be generous—with time, talent and treasure.

We can practice almsgiving in the way in which we make time for somebody who needs our presence.  I frequently reflect on the reality of loneliness in our world.  Some people have no one with whom to share their day or their thoughts or their hurts/blessings.  Making time for them is one way in which we can practice the compassion that is at the heart of almsgiving.

We can manifest almsgiving in the way that we share our talents.  Lots of people and worthy organizations lack the knowledge and personnel to move some issues forward. Yet lots of individuals can provide that assistance in bookkeeping, or computer usage, or literacy, or a host of other disciplines.  One of the ways in which we can practice almsgiving is to share the abilities that we possess with a generosity that fills a need.

And, as regularly requested, we can demonstrate almsgiving by the contribution of our treasure.  Often, this may most simply be done via a financial gift to a needy person or group.  Our world has no lack of these organizations who do good work and who are always striving to make ends meet.  But a sharing of treasure might not only be done via cash.  Most of us have many serviceable items in our closets and our drawers that would make a difference to someone with few resources.  How many mothers do not have the items that they need to care for their children?  How many people on the street lack a warm coat and intact socks?  How many people would value a sandwich and warm drink if offered one.

I do not need to expand upon the way in which almsgiving can find a place in our society and more so within our hearts.  From the very beginning with the first charities Vincent and Louise held up almsgiving as a central value in responding to the poor.  We can hear no less a call in our era.  Our Lenten devotion can be enriched by this worthy effort.

St. Vincent encourages us: “I praise God for He is so good as to raise up in this century so many good and holy souls for the assistance of the poor common people.” (CCD I 222)