WHAT DO YOU give up for Lent? The question arises from the notion that Lent is a time to give up food, things or attitudes to master self-control and to grow in the freedom of the children of God. The fasting of Jesus is particularly meditated upon to reiterate its power to conquer the forces of evil. In fact, we are familiar with he Church teaching on fasting and abstinence during Lent. Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and abstaining from meat on all Fridays of Lent are obligations all Catholics observe with exemptions granted to minors, elderly and the sick.
There are other exemptions. This year for example, faithful in Hong Kong and many dioceses in South East Asia were exempt from fasting on Ash Wednesday because it was also the sixth day of the Chinese New Year. But the faithful are instructed, while not giving up food, to focus on giving! Lent is more about ‘giving’ than about ‘giving up.’
Giving up a meal as part of the Lenten observance is meaningless unless we choose to give that meal to someone who cannot afford a meal. Throwing away surplus goods—clothes, gifts and household appliances—bears fruit when we choose to give those goods to those in need of them. The existence of a huge population who go hungry every day is a reality amidst the apparent affluence of Hong Kong. Humanitarian efforts by Caritas-Hong Kong, various parish groups and Catholic charities reaches thousands of people, but the need is ever growing.
On Lunar New Year day (February 12), Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) in its acclaimed current affairs programme, The Pulse, aired the plight of the homeless in time of the Covid-19 pandemic. The programme covered the humanitarian services offered by MercyHK and Impact Hong Kong, two charity organisations that reach out to the homeless and the poor on the streets of Hong Kong. The Pulse posed a challenge to the affluent of Hong Kong: the cry of the poor and the homeless cannot be ignored, because they too belong to us. The words of Oblate Missionary Father John Wotherspoon, the founder of MercyHK who lived over a decade with the poor people of the Temple Street, could be the message for Lent this year: “Jesus said, if you help the poor people, see you upstairs; if you are unwilling to help the poor people, please press the down lift!”
Lent, with its focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving, gives us an ideal opportunity to share our faith with others, while also renewing our own commitment to the Church. The Lenten message of Pope Francis also emphasised on the virtue of giving: “To experience Lent with love means caring for those who suffer or feel abandoned and fearful because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In these days of deep uncertainty about the future, let us keep in mind the Lord’s word to his Servant, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah43:1). In our charity, may we speak words of reassurance and help others to realise that God loves them as sons and daughters.”
Forget about what would you give up during this Lent, instead consider what, how and to whom would you give that this Lent becomes a blessing both for you and for others. jose, CMF
