During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.  The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand were present. And having sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

—Mark 8:1-10 (TNIV)

One lesson we can learn from Jesus’ feeding of the 4000 is that we are to follow his example and be abundantly generous to those in need, both spiritually and materially. Neither should we worry about having the means to be generous because we can always count on our Lord to provide for us and to multiply our generosity toward those in need. When we begin to understand this, it makes being his disciple easier for us because we realize that being his disciple is not about us but rather about bringing glory to Christ. We should never fear being generous or worry that we might not have enough. If our Lord could feed the 4000, he can certainly help us extend his generosity to those in need. As pope Leo the Great pointed out, “Where [God] finds charity with its loving concern, there he recognizes the reflection of his own fatherly care. A generous spirit is itself great wealth. There can be no shortage of material for generosity where it is Christ who feeds and Christ who is fed. In all this activity there is present the hand of him who multiplies the bread by breaking it, and increases it by giving it away”

During this season of Lent, think on these things and be generous in your acts of charity and mercy, confident that the Lord will empower you to be effective in your ministry to others.

Gluttony and Drunkenness are to be avoided even at other times; but during these days of Lent even permissible meals should be restricted. Let our fasting be accompanied by frugality. There is nothing wrong in refreshing and supporting your body in its fast but this should be done through any ordinary food that is readily available, not be elaborate and exotic dishes.

—Augustine, Sermon 207.2

Don’t read this excerpt from Augustine as yet another set of rules you must follow during Lent. Instead, read it with the idea that he is talking about having an appropriate state of mind during Lent. Lent is a season for self-reflection and self-denial, a time where we actively attempt, with the Spirit’s help, to put to death our sinful nature and desires. Here Augustine reminds us that even on feast days during Lent, we should be mindful of this and practice circumspection in our consumption. Doing so helps us to be ever vigilant in our battle against our fallen nature.

If God is love, charity should know no limit; for God cannot be confined. Any time is the right time for works of charity, but these days of Lent provide a special encouragement. Those who want to be present at the Lord’s Passover in holiness of mind and body should seek above all to win this grace, for charity contains all other virtues and covers a multitude of sins.

As we prepare to celebrated that greatest of all mysteries, by which the blood of Jesus Christ did away with our sins, let us first of all make ready the sacrificial offerings of works of mercy. In this way we shall give to those who have sinned against us what God in his goodness has already given us.

—Leo the Great, Sermon 10 for Lent

Let me turn to my true high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. Having fulfilled God’s plan, he passes into the heavens and enters into the presence of the Father to make him turn in mercy to the human race and to pray for all who believe in him. John the apostle, knowing of the atonement that Christ makes to the Father for all humanity, says this: “Little children, I say these things so that you may not sin. But if we have sinned we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous, and he is the atonement for our sins.”

We have then a day of atonement that remains until the world comes to an end.

God taught the people of the old covenant how to celebrate the ritual offered to him in atonement for sins. But you have come to Christ, the true high priest. Through his blood he has made God turn to you in mercy and has reconciled you with the Father. [Therefore] you are never to walk in darkness. So that you may always enjoy the light of knowledge, keep always in the daylight of faith, hold fast always to the light of love and peace.

—Origen, Homily 9 on Leviticus, 5.10

Unhappy ones, what can the law do without grace? What can the earth accomplish without the spittle of Christ? Run to the Physician and wash your face. Long for Christ, confess Christ, believe in Christ; the Spirit will be added to the letter, and you will be saved.

—Augustine, Sermon 136.1.5

Permit us not, O Lord, to hear your word in vain. Convince us of its truth, cause us to feel its power and bind us to yourself with cords of faith and hope and love that never shall be broken. We bind to ourselves today, you our God: your power to hold us, your hand to guide us, your eye to watch us, your ear to hear us, your wisdom to teach us, your word to give us speech, your presence to defend us, this day and every day; in the name of the blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to whom be the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever and forever. Amen

—Patrick