Lenten Compassion
A primary school decided to teach their third graders about first aid, and during the class the instructor asked one of the boys, "What would you do if your younger brother or sister swallowed the house key?" With a little hesitation, the youngster responded, "I would climb in through the window."
I wonder how many of us are like that little boy during Lent! We are so busy thinking of our own needs that we don't even see the needs of people around us?
Lent is famously a time of good deeds. Some traditions talk about the three main focuses of Lent being prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Almsgiving is simply doing good and charitable deeds.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Do you remember Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan? A man is left wounded and struggling after being attacked, and the holy people end up leaving him there, but his enemy ends up caring for him and getting him help. Lent can often make us look like the holy ones - who repented and asked for purification and considered our mortality and fasted, but then left the wounded in their pain. Oh, we pray for them! But what good does that do, if we don't do what we can to help them?
This is a common trap for us Christians. We get very wrapped up in me-and-Jesus. We start to think that our personal spirituality is everything. So we are so inwardly focused that we miss the needs of those around us.
Reaching Out in Jesus' Name
Don't make that mistake this Lent! Don't get so caught up in your 40-day journey that you neglect to reach out to those in need.
Perhaps you might take the food you're fasting and give it to someone who is hungry. Perhaps you might send prayers to friends each day this Lent, or phone somebody each day to talk and offer some kind words. Perhaps you might visit hospitals or care centres, or partner with soup kitchens or outreach ministries.
There is much need out there. Remember, Jesus said that when you reach out to somebody in need, you're doing it to Him, essentially. When you neglect somebody in need, you neglect Him.
May it be a special Lent, because we walk closely with Jesus, and do many good deeds in His name to help those in need.
Lent is a time of giving and compassion. Let’s not get so wrapped up in our own spirituality that we forget to care for others in this season.