Ashes, Abstinence, and Almsgiving

Ashes, Abstinence, and Almsgiving

Feeling a little guilty, unworthy? The solution may be a skipped meal or service project away.

Lent has begun, and with it a barrage of scurrying for the smearing of burnt palm, opting out on food, and the proverbial, “Do unto others as you would like done unto you.” The inscription of blackened soot blatantly scrawled for public observation upon the forehead symbolizes: Christianity, faithfulness, and marked in Christ.

On the downside, it suggests our frailty, mortality, and shortcomings. Do not despair as this can be an earnest invitation and overture to attempt to mend and update our sullen repository while drawing nearer to The Almighty. Wise discernment dictates that if we knew everything, and could cope with all of life’s problems and catastrophes effortlessly, then we probably would not seek God. Being needy is a platform that encourages and inspires us to commune with Him reinforcing our eternal bonds. Maybe that “weakness” isn’t so bad after all.

Accessing those flaws and opening them up to the Lord will permit clarity, repair, and regeneration. As we restore our own deficits, we are then able to heal others’ ills, lack, and misery. Prayers bring us into God’s consciousness, where the hesitations of life are scrapped and forfeited for the divine vision that will change the physical and spiritual landscape. It is only with this renewed sense of contrition, penance, and absolution that one can adjust the cautions and calamities that obstruct the roadway, and remediate what is sour, foreign, and neglected.

Penitential acts and almsgiving are what build up societies, and call for a deeper provision of sustenance in all forms. Acknowledging and accepting our trespasses and omissions with a philanthropic gesture is not only enlightening to the Soul, but grants peace and support to those who have less or nothing. It is simply not enough to fast or pray. There must be charitable action; otherwise the first step will be in vain.

As Christians, Christ calls us to do more, be better, and shine our Light into the pervasive darkness that gobbles up many daily. No one said it would be easy, but it is attainable. Picking up the Cross isn’t a mere term that is tossed around to coerce compliance or to drain your day. It is a way of life which accessorizes our Souls and exercises our rights as fellow human beings to function morally and spiritually as Jesus does.

Get your spiritual tools ready for Lent: ashes, abstinence, fasting, prayers, reflection, and almsgiving, so that you will be dressed to tackle and overcome.

What is nudging you? Is there a person or group who could use your time, efforts, or kindness? Are you ignoring the stimulus because it may be too challenging, emotionally stifling, or financially depleting? Good! You are on the correct path. Shaking in the wind discharges old, dried out leaves from trees, which allocates a space for new growth that will surely blossom under God’s direction. Today’s tiny budding will be tomorrow’s saving fruit.

~ “I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes,” Daniel 9:3. ~

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