The Amaya family in El Salvador’s mountainous Morazan region show hens they received from a Catholic Relief Services community project.. (Oscar Leiva / Silverlight for Catholic Relief Services)
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“To embrace the cross is … joining in the mission of Jesus to bring ‘good news to the poor … to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed’ (Lk 4:18). It is to truly touch the wound of that brother, that community, who has a name, who has an infinite value for God, to bring him light, to strengthen his legs, to cleanse his misery, to offer him the opportunity to respond to the plan of love the Lord has for him…” (Pope Francis, message on church aid to Latin America, Feb. 26)
As we journey together this Lenten season, Pope Francis has urged all to reflect and act on a deeper understanding of the values of charity and service.
Our Holy Father sent a message to a meeting of church humanitarian aid and development organizations (such as Catholic Relief Services-CRS) involved in Latin America. The papal message focused on the theme of “gratuitousness” which stems from the Latin word “gratuitus” — “given freely.”
The pope pointed out that often institutions and individuals, while doing charitable works of mercy, can forget the Gospel call to “give freely.”
Our Holy Father challenges all in Lent to look beyond the data involved in charitable aid to the deeper values of Christian giving: “When we make an effort, as in the case of the aid destined for the Church in Latin America, it is natural that we expect a result. To not obtain it would be considered a failure or would at least leave us with the feeling of having worked in vain. But a perception of this kind would be contrary to gratuitousness, which is evangelically defined as giving without expecting anything in return.”
Drawing from the Gospel, this concept of unconditional giving is one of the main teachings that Jesus delivered during his sermons which spoke of the miracle of selfless generosity. The pope encourages us to meditate on the many ways God has shown us unconditional love: “It is very simple: always, and totally. God does not set limits: we sin a thousand times, He forgives us a thousand times. He waits in the silent solitude of the Tabernacle for us to return to Him, begging for His love.”
He also reminds us that when we have received such gifts of love and forgiveness freely, we are then able to give the same to others more freely: “(Gratuitousness) is imitating the way in which Jesus gives Himself for us, His people, always and totally, despite our poverty. And why? Out of love.” And this giving freely has lasting results.
This theme of Christian giving freely or agape love plays a vital role in the CRS Lenten Rice Bowl’s second Story of Hope from the Central American country of El Salvador. The story follows the farming family of Sandra and Santos Amaya living in the mountainous Morazan region, where everyone in the family gives of themselves in many ways.
“Early in the morning Sandra lights the firewood to cook, prepares coffee and sweeps the chicken coop. Oscar, her eldest son, helps make breakfast before walking nearly two hours to his high school. Nine-year-old Gamaliel grinds corn and, after having breakfast, goes to school accompanied by his father Santos and his little brother, Caleb.”
Santos is a farmer, but climate change resulting in longer droughts and unpredictable rain has reduced harvests. When Sandra heard about a CRS community project on raising chickens, she quickly joined.
She learned about preparing food for chickens and that they eat better if they are in a pen. She also learned how to keep them healthy.
As soon as Sandra received chickens from the project, she began to apply her knowledge in her family and community.
Now her family has access to eggs, which saves them money on food. In addition, her family and the community eat healthier because they have a variety of foods, instead of just beans or tortillas with salt.
Sandra wants to keep learning and giving back to her family and community. Santos supports her giving freely: When she travels far to attend a training, Santos takes care of the children. Upon her return, Sandra enjoys supporting other families by teaching them everything she learned.
CRS believes our Catholic faith teaches us how important it is to live in community for our collective growth and that all people can participate in giving to and building community, seeking the well-being of all — especially that of our sisters and brothers in need — trying to imitate the way Jesus gives of self, always and unconditionally.
For more on CRS Rice Bowl, including delicious meatless meal recipes for Lent, visit crsricebowl.org. As we continue on the Lenten journey to come closer to our merciful God, let us reflect on Christ’s example of “gratuitousness” through self-giving in service and sacrifice.
Mahalo,
your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
