The cherry blossoms have peaked right on time! This coming Sunday is traditionally known as “Laetare Sunday” in the season of Lent. That Latin word means something like “rejoice.” Rose or pink are the colors associated with Laetare Sunday. This fourth Sunday is meant to be something of a respite from the austerity and deprivation of the Lenten season; because even in the darkest of times, we need to fan the embers of joy and hope. It’s a way to keep going: reminding one another that light and life are possible. I look forward to sharing Laetare Sunday with you!

As we begin this third week in the season of Lent, I want to share a few thoughts about a vital Christian practice that goes back to our earliest stories: the giving of alms. “Almsgiving” is a word we don’t often use or hear today. More often, we talk about charity, outreach, or service. However, those terms do not quite capture the heart of the traditional concept of giving alms, which has been passed down from the teachings of Jesus.