Almsgiving

Journey through Lent

As we continue our Lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl, almsgiving is one way we show love by sharing what we have with our sisters and brothers. 

Take a few moments to reflect on the meaning of almsgiving and on how the parable of the good Samaritan leads us to give of ourselves during Lent.
 

What is Almsgiving?

Along with prayer and fasting, almsgiving is a way we live out the call to love our neighbors, especially people who are living in poverty or in vulnerable situations. It is rooted in Scripture and Catholic social teaching, and it is one of the three traditional practices of Lent.

Through prayer, we turn our hearts to God and think about the needs of the world. Through fasting, we make sacrifices and make room for others. Through almsgiving, we put our faith into action by sharing what we have with mercy, justice and love.

Alms can take many forms. They can be money or goods given to people in need, acts of mercy or charity, or sacrifices offered for the good of others. When we give alms, we follow Christ’s call to love one another and care for those most in need. Catholics look to the Catechism, which says that almsgiving is “a witness to fraternal charity” and “a work of justice pleasing to God.”

Why Almsgiving Matters

Almsgiving changes lives—our own and the lives of our sisters and brothers around the world. Through CRS Rice Bowl, your alms become a real sign of faith and love for our neighbor. They help provide food, water, education and opportunity for families and communities around the world and here at home. As we give, we remember that we are one human family, called to care for one another.

Reflection: The Good Samaritan

The parable of the good Samaritan helps us understand our call to serve, to care and to give. The Samaritan not only stops to help the man by the side of the road but also leaves the innkeeper with these words—and a few coins: “Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.” In this way, he gives freely and fully, sharing what he has with the person in need and with the one helping care for him.

This kind of giving reflects God’s love—shared freely and in solidarity with others. One simple way to practice almsgiving during Lent is to set aside a small gift each day in your Rice Bowl as a reminder to share what you have. Together, we continue this journey of compassion through prayer, walking with Christ and reflecting on his sacrifice.

Ways to Use This Reflection

This reflection can be used in many settings to help people connect almsgiving with prayer, sacrifice and care for others during Lent.

For families:

Read the reflection together after dinner or before prayer. Invite each person to name one small sacrifice they can make this week and place a gift in the Rice Bowl.

For classrooms:

Watch the good Samaritan video together and ask students what they learned about compassion. Invite them to choose one way they can help others through prayer, sacrifice or giving.

For parishes:

Share the reflection during a parish meeting, faith formation session, small group or Lenten gathering. Use one discussion question to invite conversation, then encourage participants to give through CRS Rice Bowl. 

Sample discussion questions:

• How is God inviting us to share what we have this Lent?
• What small sacrifices can we offer together?
• How might our gifts become a sign of hope for others?

This Lent: A Way Forward

This Lent, almsgiving is one way to live out our call to be a good Samaritan. As we journey from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week and Easter, we are invited to share what we have so our gifts become signs of hope for others.

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How CRS Uses Alms

For more than 50 years, Lenten alms given through CRS Rice Bowl have supported programs that prevent hunger and poverty around the world. Seventy-five percent of gifts help support CRS’ work in more than 90 countries. To learn more about the families and communities benefiting from your alms, explore these Lenten stories of hope from Ethiopia, Honduras and Lebanon. Twenty-five percent of all CRS Rice Bowl alms remain in each diocese in the United States to support local hunger- and poverty-alleviation efforts. Each diocese uses these funds differently. Contact your local diocese to learn how the 25% is used.

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