The Discipline of Lent, Part IV

Part IV of the series on Lenten Discipline: "our Lord's call to intensify our struggle against sin, death, and the devil— all that prevents us from trusting in God and loving each other" (Maundy Thursday litany). The fourth and final installment on Lenten Discipline is on the topic "works of love." Sometimes simply called "alms," this is a critical component of the Christian life. The intention of this part of the Lenten Discipline is to connect our faith in God's love for us with actions that are loving of others in the world.
Works of Love Jesus teaches us that "God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Love is why Christ came. Love is why Christ died. Love is why God raised Him from the dead. Love is the whole purpose and mission of the Church and of every Christian member: to show God's love in the world. Our response to God's loving gift of Jesus Christ is to share that love with others. 1 John 4:19— "We love because He first loved us."
Consider one or more of these suggestions for this portion of your Lenten Discipline:

1. Use Matthew 25:31-40 and Luke 4:18-19 as guides for choosing to do a work of love.
2. Go out of your way to do something nice for somebody at least once a week during Lent.
3. Make a donation for the needy through your church.
4. Volunteer a portion of your time with a local service organization that serves the poor.
5. Ask the congregation's Welfare committee for suggestions of a needy place or person that could use your time, talent or treasure.
6. Contact your local government center and see if you could perform any kind of volunteer service for the community, such as picking up litter.
7. Contact a hospital, nursing home or prison about making visits. Especially see those who otherwise receive no visitors.
8. Talk to the pastor about visiting shut-in members of the church. Perhaps make something and take it as a gift.
9. When doing your work of love, meditate upon Christ's words, "As you do it for the least of these, you do it for me" (Matt.25:40).
10. Don't tell anyone what you're about... just do it. And don't feel proud at having sacrificed your time for Jesus; His sacrifice was far greater. Simply rejoice that God is working through you and share His love.