Rainy Day Giving
How are you preparing for the future?
As water extinguishes a blazing fire, so almsgiving atones for sin. Those who repay favors give thought to the future; when they fall they will find support. - Sirach 3:30-31
In reading today's lesson from the wisdom of Sirach, I am reminded of the saying Save for a rainy day.
The thought is to put something aside for when times are tough, and I think many people try to do that, or at least have some provision for difficult times.
For some, though, having enough to put aside for another day, any day, rainy or not, is a luxury that is beyond their reach. It is for these that we give alms, food and money to help them make it through their rainy days.
Yesterday, we received a delivery at Caritas. Two car loads of groceries in dozens of brown bags were collected in a food drive organized by three eighth graders, Andrew, Luke and Nicholas of Resurrection School in Rye.
90% of the school participated and their contribution of pasta, cooking oil, rice, beans, cereal, vegetables, fruit, tuna, tomato sauce and other items will be distributed this morning through our pantry.
The young students who dragged their moms and dads to the store to fill their bags probably had no intention of giving to pay for their sins, as Sirach tells us. Instead, they were just doing a good deed, helping others they don't know.
The fact that it brings them some benefit is most likely of little concern for them. They told me they just enjoyed doing it, knowing it will help someone in need.
What if we all did that? What if every time we gathered food for our families, we set one bag aside for those in need? How much of an impact would we make? How much of an inconvenience would that be?
We can do it because we need forgiveness for our transgressions, or we can just do it because we know it is needed. In either case, this rainy day giving would truly help those for whom all days are rainy right now.
So, when you give thought to your future, imagine a day when the rains come, and set something aside for yourself. Then think of those for whom the rains are here. Perhaps you can offer alms for them?
More to come...
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