LENT: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving
Why are prayer, fasting and almsgiving especially important during Lent?
Prayer: Without prayer, fasting and almsgiving are merely actions we do out of tradition without much meaning. Prayer is our conversation with God. It is through prayer that we find the strength to fast. It is through prayer that we develop a closer, more intimate relationship with God. This relationship makes us so grateful for the blessings he has bestowed upon us, that we eagerly give to those less fortunate than us. The Church, in its wisdom, understands that prayer is essential to any action we Christians may undertake.
Fasting: Fasting is one of the most ancient actions linked to Lent. Fasting rules have changed through the ages, but throughout Church history fasting has been considered sacred. The prophet Isaiah insists that fasting without changing our behavior is not pleasing to God. Therefore, the goal of fasting is linked with prayer. The pangs of hunger remind us of our hunger for God, and prayer and fasting together brings us to what Lent is about – a deeper conversion.
Almsgiving: It should be obvious by now, that almsgiving is simply a response by us to God, a response that we have come to through prayer and fasting. It is an expression of our gratitude for all that God has given us, and a realization that in the Body of Christ, it is never just “me and God.” Through prayer and fasting we come to a deeper understanding that the needs of all are the responsibility of all in the Body of Christ. Works of charity and the promotion of justice are integral elements of the Christian way of life we began when we were baptized.
In this Lenten spirit we would like to invite you to look at Mgr. Joseph Hoang Minh Thang’s letter enclosed in this website. This letter is an appeal for donations for the poor in Kontum Diocese, Viet Nam By Kontum Missionary And Friendship (KMF).
Thank you for your generosity and may God shower you abundantly with His blessings.
La Prière, Le Jeûne, L’aumône
Durant ce carême, il nous est rappelé le besoin de réparation de nos péchés et d’une sincère réconciliation avec Dieu.
Tenter de construire une vie spirituelle en négligeant ces piliers que sont la prière, le jeûne et l’aumône, c’est construire sur le sable.
La prière purifie nos intentions et élève tout ce que nous faisons vers Dieu.
Le jeûne nous détache du confort et de nous-mêmes.
L’aumône nous rappelle notre solidarité avec les pauvres de la grande famille de Jésus et que la vraie richesse n’est pas dans les choses mais dans l’amour de Dieu.
Nous avons tous besoin de vérifier l’authenticité de nos vies spirituelles pour savoir où nous en sommes dans la prière, le jeûne et l’aumône.
Dans cet esprit du Carême, nous aimerions vous inviter à lire la lettre du Mgr. Joseph Hoang Minh Thang. Cette lettre est un appel aux dons pour les pauvres au diocèse de Kontum, Viet Nam. Que Dieu vous bénisse et vous garde dans Son Amour.
