LENT: "A SEASON OF SHARING."

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE: LUKE 6:36-38

"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be measure you get back"(Lk. 6:38).

It's often said that givers never lack and the hand that gives is always on top. A generous heart is not only reflected in extending hands of generosity to the needy, poor or less-privileged; but also in the readiness to pray for others.

When we see our brethren living below the expectation of their call as Christians, we should not criticize or point accusing fingers at them. Such moments give us the opportunity to be generous with our kind words and prayers. We should be ready to encourage those who are discouraged or spiritually weak, especially by praying for them and for the conversion of sinners.

There are so many souls who are in need of our prayers and are in need of the Mercy of God especially at this season. These are those souls who are stuck firm in their sins. Who is that person in such need of the Mercy of God? Is there a family member, a co-worker, a neighbor, a roommate, a fellow priest or friend who appears to remain obstinate toward God and His Mercy at this season? Brethren commit yourself to the most generous love you can offer that person and give it to God as your intercession. Allow God to gaze upon this person through your love.

Our generosity attracts God's blessing when it's done without compulsion, but with a willing and loving heart (2Cor. 9:6-8). This kind of gift is like laying up treasure in Heaven by using our earthly treasure to accomplish God's purposes. Randy Alcorn refers to this as 'transferring wealth to heaven.' He points out that we cannot take our wealth with us to Heaven when we die, but we can transfer our wealth to Heaven while we are living by using our wealth to show generosity to others.

Dear brothers and sisters, as we choose to pray for others rather than criticizing them, God will raise people to pray for us too. Let your preoccupation today be to pray, fast, and to give alms, because if we truly love God, that love will overflow into love for people. Thankfulness for the many blessings God has bestowed will manifest itself in sharing those blessings with others.

Let us pray:

Pardon, O Lord, the faults which your people have committed out of human weakness at this season; and may Your loving-kindness deliver us from the entanglements of sin, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Happy season of lent.

Fr. Nwokpoku Chukwuma SHL