Alms give a full life

“Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than abundance with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold; for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life.” (TB 12: 8-9)

We used to think about prayer, fasting and almsgiving as special gestures of Lent. But we should pray regularly, not only in Lent; fasting is requested by Our Lady as a basic remedy for the sins of this world, and “those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life” and “expiate every sin.”  Almsgiving opens our eyes to others, like prayer helps us to be connected with God, and fasting takes care of us. “Better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness.”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Gospel Acclamation)