In school growing up, a few of the teachers, over the years, said to us students that we must not give alms to the beggars in streets, because it would reinforce them to beg, when it’s an annoyance to people, and they could be hit by vehicles. They also added, “Let the government do its job to feed them.” My family usually gave alms, within our means, to street beggars, especially during Christmas season. Being a child then, I thought, “Oh we’re doing it wrong! Once home, I’d tell my parents not to give them anything anymore.” Still, within me, the feeling of pity remained.
Later on, as a young teen, whenever I heard somebody saying that remark again, that we should not give alms to the poor because it’s government’s business to refuge them from the streets, I didn’t agree with them anymore. In fact, I thought that comment was without mercy and compassion.
Yes, it’s the government’s task to shelter them away and give them some food. But the bigger problem is, probably because of corruption, inefficiency and other causes, only a percentage of them are rescued and helped by government social services. The poor beggar’s already in front of you, why would you prevent your heart to give in to the compassion that you feel for them, and not help them at all? If you don’t help them with your spare coins or food, no one would.
Giving alms might not change the country, or the world. But giving alms can become a big thing if it’s a much-needed aid for the day. Yes, there are ‘bad’ beggars who’d ‘force’ you to give them alms because they wouldn’t leave you and your car until you give them some. Yes, one beggar could lie that he needed the money for his sick child. Yes, another beggar is a mother who brings along her child with her as she begged in the streets. Some may even argue, that if you give money to children they’d just give the money to their parents to buy themselves some cigarettes.
But God asks you not to be too much concerned of those. Not all of the poor would use their money for cigarettes. You don’t even know who among them is honestly sick or starving, in need of immediate food to calm their empty stomach. As a Catholic, we only must think of how to respond to a needy brother in front of you.
Almsgiving is one of the three pillars of Lent. But we must practice almsgiving throughout the year, as Charity is a recurring theme in the Gospels.
The Roman Catholic Church gives you the reasons why you must practice “almsgiving” which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing acts of charity:
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church
As a form of penance
1434 The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many and various ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. Alongside the radical purification brought about by Baptism or martyrdom they cite as means of obtaining forgiveness of sins: effort at reconciliation with one’s neighbor, tears of repentance, concern for the salvation of one’s neighbor, the intercession of the saints, and the practice of charity “which covers a multitude of sins.”
1438 The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice. These times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works).
In the New Law
1969 The New Law practices the acts of religion: almsgiving, prayer and fasting, directing them to the “Father who sees in secret,” in contrast with the desire to “be seen by men.” Its prayer is the Our Father.
As works of charity and mercy
2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:
2462 Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.
Of course aside from almsgiving in the streets, there are lots of opportunities to help, like donating to different Catholic Ministries, or Parishes. Be reminded that it’s not only through money that you can help, but also with countless other means like spending your time by visiting the poor such as the needy, the abandoned elderly, the sick, and the orphans, or sharing with them your abilities or talents.
Many of us only get the chance to give alms as we about our daily life. As ordinary people, how many of us actually go to a charitable office to work or donate? Don’t make excuses on not giving alms whenever there is an opportunity to do so.
The Lord also would not ask from you to give more than your means. If we are likewise poor and also stricken by poverty, we should not worry that we’re unable to donate a fortune. Here, we recall what Jesus Christ said to the poor widow who only gave her small coins:
He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
– Mark 12:41-44
Almsgiving should be a part of our Catholic way of life. Jesus Himself warned those who refuse to give alms and do works of mercy:
Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
– Mathew 25:41-46
Jesus, help us see You among the poor and the needy.
Amen.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas, the country's Pontifical and Catholic university, with an AB in Legal Management and minor units in Theology.
As an unmarried woman, prayer holds a central place in her daily life, with a focus on the Rosary and the Divine Office. Embodying her faith, she emphasizes the growth of her inner spiritual life, guided by the wisdom of Carmelite spirituality.
God manifested to her in a unique and radical manner, which made her know Who He truly is and led her to total surrender of her life to Him.
She has studied the Bible with her family, developing a particular fondness for the Old Testament.
Her adorable and intelligent toy poodle is a delightful companion in her daily life, bringing warmth and joy to her home.
Her hobbies include reading about everything, learning Japanese and German, listening to music and playing the flute.
In her leisure time, she enjoys gaming on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS, iOS and OS, and collecting things related to PlayStation and Nintendo.
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Thanx for writing this! God wants us to help other people.