By Sister Mary Shawn Kavanagh, SSND
In the past, we often were asked, "What are you giving up for Lent? Sweets? Movies? Something else?"
Today, let's ponder another question. "What are you doing for Lent?"
Consider the works of mercy in the Gospel of Matthew ... and consider ways we can offer them.
Feeding the hungry, for example, may mean donating food or money to a food pantry.
Giving drink to the thirsty may include giving the spiritual comfort many are thirsting for, including a listening ear.
There are those who are imprisoned in their homes, isolated and lonely, or ill. We can visit, send a card, or phone them.
In today’s society we also have immigrants, minorities, and the marginalized. If we can’t help them physically, we can pray or reach out to our government representatives. Those who are physically able can also march for justice.
As we age, there may be fewer ways we can physically integrate these actions into our Lenten practices, but there are other ways of helping.
Jesus, through Matthew’s Gospel, assures us that “as often as you did it for one of my least sisters and brothers …. You Did It For Me."
Let us do what we can do.
