Acts of Charity for the Workplace During Lent
(Originally posted on February 18, 2016)
We continue with the "Tools of Good Works" from St. Benedict's Holy Rule to help us focus on those acts of charity that we can perform during Lent in the work place.
We start today with:
Or how about this: Earn enough money such that you can contribute some of your surplus to help those who are indeed poor, who lack proper clothing appropriate to wherever they might live. Same for the sick, specifically those with what used to be called "dread" diseases. Many organizations solicit your donations. (Just be sure to investigate such that you're giving to an organization that directs donations to the cause not into the pockets of their executives.) Indeed, one of our callings is to make the effort to earn more - when possible and prudent - specifically to be in a position to help others. And, of course, we might remember the Gospel story of the widow and her mite - she who gave not of her surplus, but of her substance.
What about burying the dead? Well, here we simply make sure to attend wakes and, when possible, funeral Masses for those whom we know - relatives, friends, even colleagues at work. I remember when a certain colleague of mine - who was particularly successful and very busy, took the trouble to attend my father's funeral Mass on a weekday morning. He scooted back to the office right after that, but the effort was much appreciated, and surprisingly consoling.
As for the afflicted and sorrowing, I don't know about your workplace, but I've seen enough at mine over the years. People face all sorts of difficulties and tragedies and at times we become aware of them. A colleague recently wanted to have lunch. I typically don't go out to lunch during the work week, but he seemed to really want to connect in this way. It turned out he was deeply concerned about a family member whom he felt was going astray, based on certain behaviors and bad decisions. Not sure why he wanted to share this with me, and I didn't have any particularly brilliant or even insightful suggestions. But looking at the concern in his face, it seemed that simply listening to the affliction he was experiencing might provide some level of comfort. My attempt at encouraging words may not have meant much, but perhaps my presence and my listening did. And, not that it was such a big deal, but I really was pressed for time and would have preferred not taking an hour and a half for lunch that day. But "something" told me to just go ahead and give up the time.
Maybe we can all make the effort to be "on alert" in your workplace for those who may need a bit of your time and sympathetic ear. Of course, some people do have a tendency exaggerate what irks them, so watch out for getting sucked into listening to those who simply whine and complain all the time. You'll serve no one well - neither whiner nor yourself - by subjecting yourself to such nonsense. We're talking here about those specific situations when someone's having a particularly difficult run because of personal misfortune. If it's not someone who's spouse or child causes them deep concern or sorrow, it might be that they're suffering some physical, emotional, or mental affliction that makes life particularly difficult, through no fault of their own. If you become aware of it any time you might at least listen to their troubles. This will pull you out of yourself and focus your time and energy on someone else. When you think about it, that's pretty much what Our Lord did throughout his public life. In fact, He sought out those in need and applied His words and actions, over and over again, to the physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually afflicted.
While I know I could never say or do anything remotely as effective as Our Lord's words and actions, I also know that I have two healthy ears that can at least provide a few moments of empathetic listening. And if, from time to time, the Holy Spirit should choose to put a few words in my mouth that might be helpful to others, or inflame my imagination with an idea or two that could help ease their affliction or sorrow, so much the better.
We end with this traditional exhortation from the praying of the Stations of the Cross, to remind ourselves we live and work now in the holy season of Lent:
We start today with:
- To relieve the poor.
- To clothe the naked.
- To visit the sick.
- The bury the dead.
- To help the afflicted.
- To console the sorrowing.
Or how about this: Earn enough money such that you can contribute some of your surplus to help those who are indeed poor, who lack proper clothing appropriate to wherever they might live. Same for the sick, specifically those with what used to be called "dread" diseases. Many organizations solicit your donations. (Just be sure to investigate such that you're giving to an organization that directs donations to the cause not into the pockets of their executives.) Indeed, one of our callings is to make the effort to earn more - when possible and prudent - specifically to be in a position to help others. And, of course, we might remember the Gospel story of the widow and her mite - she who gave not of her surplus, but of her substance.
What about burying the dead? Well, here we simply make sure to attend wakes and, when possible, funeral Masses for those whom we know - relatives, friends, even colleagues at work. I remember when a certain colleague of mine - who was particularly successful and very busy, took the trouble to attend my father's funeral Mass on a weekday morning. He scooted back to the office right after that, but the effort was much appreciated, and surprisingly consoling.
As for the afflicted and sorrowing, I don't know about your workplace, but I've seen enough at mine over the years. People face all sorts of difficulties and tragedies and at times we become aware of them. A colleague recently wanted to have lunch. I typically don't go out to lunch during the work week, but he seemed to really want to connect in this way. It turned out he was deeply concerned about a family member whom he felt was going astray, based on certain behaviors and bad decisions. Not sure why he wanted to share this with me, and I didn't have any particularly brilliant or even insightful suggestions. But looking at the concern in his face, it seemed that simply listening to the affliction he was experiencing might provide some level of comfort. My attempt at encouraging words may not have meant much, but perhaps my presence and my listening did. And, not that it was such a big deal, but I really was pressed for time and would have preferred not taking an hour and a half for lunch that day. But "something" told me to just go ahead and give up the time.
Maybe we can all make the effort to be "on alert" in your workplace for those who may need a bit of your time and sympathetic ear. Of course, some people do have a tendency exaggerate what irks them, so watch out for getting sucked into listening to those who simply whine and complain all the time. You'll serve no one well - neither whiner nor yourself - by subjecting yourself to such nonsense. We're talking here about those specific situations when someone's having a particularly difficult run because of personal misfortune. If it's not someone who's spouse or child causes them deep concern or sorrow, it might be that they're suffering some physical, emotional, or mental affliction that makes life particularly difficult, through no fault of their own. If you become aware of it any time you might at least listen to their troubles. This will pull you out of yourself and focus your time and energy on someone else. When you think about it, that's pretty much what Our Lord did throughout his public life. In fact, He sought out those in need and applied His words and actions, over and over again, to the physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually afflicted.
While I know I could never say or do anything remotely as effective as Our Lord's words and actions, I also know that I have two healthy ears that can at least provide a few moments of empathetic listening. And if, from time to time, the Holy Spirit should choose to put a few words in my mouth that might be helpful to others, or inflame my imagination with an idea or two that could help ease their affliction or sorrow, so much the better.
We end with this traditional exhortation from the praying of the Stations of the Cross, to remind ourselves we live and work now in the holy season of Lent:
We adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee,
Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou Hast Redeemed the world.
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