Blessed to be a Blessing: Love in Action -- Charles Spencer High School Pantry
- Maryann Amor
- Feb 22
- 3 min read
Introduction to the Project
A central part of what it means to be Christian is following the example that Jesus sets before us. In both his teachings and his actions, Jesus models a radical hospitality and a deep, generous love for others. We are a church family that has been deeply blessed, and entrusted with so much. Rather than becoming fixated on our differences, or holding too tightly to what feels familiar or “ours,” Jesus calls us to look beyond ourselves and our own egos—to truly see the other. He invites us to recognize that everything we have—from the money in our pockets, even this church building—is not ours to cling to or protect, but is a gift from God, entrusted to us to be shared.
This vision, which lies at the heart of Jesus’ life and ministry, has shaped our Lenten project this year. Last year, our theme was Blessed to be a Blessing: Building a Legacy of Faith, and we focused on our roof and bell tower refurbishment, culminating in sealing a time capsule to be opened on Easter Sunday in 2075. This year, our focus shifts outward, toward our neighbours in this city. Our project is called Blessed to be a Blessing: Love in Action.
The idea for this project did not begin with me, but grew out of a conversation with one of our youth, Nicholas. I now invite Nicholas to come forward and share the project he undertook, which became the inspiration for what we are doing together this Lent.
Our project is similar to the reverse Advent calendar Nicholas described. Each week, we will focus on a different outreach organization. On Sunday, a representative from that organization will join us in worship to share about their work. Then, during the week, our Lenten practice will be twofold: to pray for that organization and to purchase specific items they have identified as a high need.
You will receive a calendar (see the screen) outlining the items for each week. On the back, please flip the slide, you will find a brief description of each organization along with a prayer. I encourage you to use that prayer daily—perhaps at grace or at the start of your day—so that the needs of others remain close to your heart. You may bring your items to the church each week or collect them at home and bring them all together later. Our goal is to gather everything by Easter Sunday.
Lent traditionally calls us to three practices: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Each of these turns us outward, just as Jesus’ life was always oriented toward others. In this project, we embody prayer, by praying daily for those in need. We can incorporate fasting by perhaps giving up daily coffee or eating out, then redirecting what we save to the project. And putting some of our resources towards others is how we live out almsgiving.
I truly hope that everyone will take part. Together, we can support many people in our community and more fully live into the calling Christ has given us. This week, we begin by collecting items for Nicholas’ school’s student pantry. You’ll find the requested items, as provided by his vice principal, listed on the calendar.
I would like to end with a poem that is attributed to Teresa of Ávila, which I hope will inspire you this Lent as we work together to bless our neighbours and truly put love into action:
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
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