HOMILY ON ALMSGIVING “Whatever You Did for One of the Least of These”
ALMSGIVING
“Whatever You Did for One of the Least of These”
Introduction: Love That Becomes Visible
Dear
brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we journey through Lent — the sacred season
of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving — we reflect today on the third pillar: almsgiving.
Prayer
lifts us toward God.
Fasting frees us from ourselves.
Almsgiving sends us toward our neighbour.
If prayer
is love spoken,
and fasting is a love discipline,
Almsgiving is love demonstrated.
Today, we
will reflect deeply on:
- The meaning of almsgiving
- Its biblical foundation
- Jesus’ teaching
- The wisdom of the saints
- Practical applications
- Illustrations for daily life
- A call to transformation
Let us open
our hearts.
I. What Is Almsgiving?
Almsgiving
is not simply giving money.
It is:
- Sharing what we have
- Seeing the suffering of others
- Responding with compassion
It is
charity in action.
Scripture
says:
“Give alms
from your possessions…” (Sirach 18:16)
Almsgiving
is not about how much we give.
It is about how much we love.
Illustration 1: The Child’s Sandwich
A small
child noticed a classmate who had no lunch. Quietly, without telling anyone, he
split his sandwich and shared half.
That
half-sandwich became a greater act of love than a large donation given for
publicity.
God
measures love, not size.
II. The Biblical Foundation
From
Genesis to Revelation, generosity is central to faith.
- Tobit 4:7–11 –
“Almsgiving delivers from death.”
- Proverbs 19:17 –
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord.”
- Luke 12:33 –
“Sell your possessions and give to the needy.”
- Acts 10:2 – Cornelius gave alms generously.
Augustine of Hippo
St.
Augustine says:
“Do you
wish your prayer to fly toward God? Give it two wings: fasting and almsgiving.”
Without
charity, prayer remains incomplete.
III. Jesus and Almsgiving (Matthew 6:1–4)
Jesus says:
“When you
give alms…”
Not if
— but when.
Almsgiving
is expected of every disciple.
Jesus warns
against:
- Giving for recognition
- Giving for praise
- Giving for social media display
True
almsgiving is done in secret.
Illustration: Two Donors
One person
donates a large amount but ensures his name is printed everywhere.
Another
quietly pays the school fees for a struggling family anonymously.
Which one
resembles Christ?
God sees in
secret.
IV. The Closed Fist and the Open Hand
A closed
fist cannot receive anything.
An open
hand can give and receive.
When we
cling tightly to wealth, we block grace.
When we open our hands, God fills them again.
Basil of Caesarea
St. Basil
said:
“The bread
you do not use is the bread of the hungry.”
Almsgiving
is not losing — it is redistributing God’s gifts.
V. The Last Judgment (Matthew
25:31–46)
Jesus
identifies Himself with the poor:
“I was
hungry, and you gave me food.”
Notice
something powerful:
He does not ask how much theology we know.
He asks how we loved.
Teresa of Calcutta
Mother
Teresa said:
“Not all of
us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Illustration: The Forgotten Elder
An elderly
woman lived alone. No visitors. No family nearby.
A young
neighbour began visiting once a week, bringing tea and conversation.
No money
involved — just presence.
That
presence was almsgiving.
Sometimes
the greatest poverty is loneliness.
VI. Almsgiving and Justice
The prophet
Amos cries:
“Let
justice roll down like waters.” (Amos 5:24)
Almsgiving
is not pity.
It is justice.
John Chrysostom
St. John
Chrysostom boldly said:
“Almsgiving
is an act of justice, not charity.”
We must
ask:
- Why are people poor?
- How can I support dignity?
- How can my lifestyle change?
Christian
generosity must address both need and cause.
VII. Practical Applications for Lent
Here are
concrete ways to practise almsgiving:
1. Planned Giving
Set aside a
fixed portion of income during Lent.
2. Give Time
Visit the
sick.
Call someone lonely.
Encourage someone who is discouraged.
3. Simplify Lifestyle
Reduce
unnecessary spending.
Use the savings to help others.
4. Hidden Acts
Do one act
of charity daily without telling anyone.
5. Family Almsgiving
Involve
children.
Teach them to give toys, clothes, and time.
Illustration: The Family Lenten Jar
A family
placed a small jar on the table.
Every time they skipped dessert or avoided a luxury, they placed money into the
jar.
At Easter,
they donated it to a struggling family.
That jar
transformed their Lent.
VIII. The Fruit of Almsgiving
Almsgiving:
- Softens hardness
- Breaks selfishness
- Brings joy
Lawrence of Rome
When asked
to show the Church’s treasures, St. Lawrence presented the poor and said:
“These are
the treasures of the Church.”
When we
give to people experiencing poverty, we invest in eternity.
IX. Personal Examination
Ask
yourself:
- Am I attached to comfort?
- Do I give only when convenient?
- Do I notice suffering?
- Does generosity bring me joy?
Almsgiving
is not about money.
It is about conversion.
“God loves
a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Conclusion: Completing Our Lenten Journey
Dear
brothers and sisters,
Prayer
lifts us to God.
Fasting frees us from ourselves.
Almsgiving sends us to our neighbour.
Together,
they form a complete Christian life.
Let this
Lent change us.
Let us:
- Open our hands
- Soften our hearts
- Recognise Christ in the poor
For
whatever we do for the least of these,
We do for Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly
Father,
You are generous beyond measure.
Teach us to give as You give —
freely, joyfully, lovingly.
Open our
eyes to those in need.
Break every selfish attachment within us.
Make our almsgiving a reflection of Your mercy.
May this
Lenten journey
transform our hearts
and prepare us for Easter joy.
We ask this
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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ADDANKI RAJU.
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