St. Paul goes on to tell us what this charity consists and does not consist of, some of which I will paraphrase here. He says that charity is kind, is patient. Charity does not envy the good of another, deals uprightly, and is not puffed up with pride. Charity is not ambitious, does not (as we say today) “look out for #1” exclusively, is not easily angered, does not think evil of others. Charity does not rejoice in lies and iniquity, but rejoices in truth and good. St. John adds that charity is walking in the Commandments of God.
How many more would be converted to the Catholic faith if we who bear the name “Catholic” possessed and showed charity toward each other and all men. By reading the Gospels we know that Our Lord was unfailingly kind, and yet how often we are truly unkind. Our Lord shared the true faith which He brought for all men with all, even the heretical Samaritans, and how often we are ashamed of and hide our faith even from those who approach us about it. Meanwhile we often look on those around us with a sour countenance and and complain of them or condemn them, for not having the true faith. Is that their fault or ours? Let God be the judge, as He surely will be. Faith is a gift from God which we have through no merit of our own. To hide it or act in such a way as to link our bad behavior with the faith in the minds of others is a serious offense against charity.
We have the opportunity of bringing joy into lives, of lifting up hearts which are sorrowful, of compassionating suffering and lightening the loads of those who suffer, and all this by practicing charity. A kind word or a friendly smile may be all it takes from us to make someone's day better. Where do we find the strength and patience to practice such charity? In God, who becoming man became like to us in all things save sin and has lived our human existence. By His holy life, and death on the Cross, He has won for us all the graces we need to live in charity if we will but ask for the graces we need. He is more eager to give than we are to receive, more ready to hear us than we are to speak to Him. He has told us, “Ask and you shall receive” but how often we find reasons to avoid asking, to avoid praying. Prayer should not be a burdensome task, but a loving talk between a child and his/her loving Father. It is by humble prayer that we grow in charity. St. Augustine tells us that in the end we will each be judged by our charity, so we are wise now to do all in our power to grow in charity and to practice the virtue at every opportunity. Kindness especially costs so little and means so much. All it takes is one kind person to spread kindness and bring joy to many. In imitation of our Divine Master, let us be kind and compassionate to all, even our enemies, as that is the best way of being ambassadors of Christ and of the faith.
“God is charity: and he that abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him...” 1 John.4:16
How many more would be converted to the Catholic faith if we who bear the name “Catholic” possessed and showed charity toward each other and all men. By reading the Gospels we know that Our Lord was unfailingly kind, and yet how often we are truly unkind. Our Lord shared the true faith which He brought for all men with all, even the heretical Samaritans, and how often we are ashamed of and hide our faith even from those who approach us about it. Meanwhile we often look on those around us with a sour countenance and and complain of them or condemn them, for not having the true faith. Is that their fault or ours? Let God be the judge, as He surely will be. Faith is a gift from God which we have through no merit of our own. To hide it or act in such a way as to link our bad behavior with the faith in the minds of others is a serious offense against charity.
We have the opportunity of bringing joy into lives, of lifting up hearts which are sorrowful, of compassionating suffering and lightening the loads of those who suffer, and all this by practicing charity. A kind word or a friendly smile may be all it takes from us to make someone's day better. Where do we find the strength and patience to practice such charity? In God, who becoming man became like to us in all things save sin and has lived our human existence. By His holy life, and death on the Cross, He has won for us all the graces we need to live in charity if we will but ask for the graces we need. He is more eager to give than we are to receive, more ready to hear us than we are to speak to Him. He has told us, “Ask and you shall receive” but how often we find reasons to avoid asking, to avoid praying. Prayer should not be a burdensome task, but a loving talk between a child and his/her loving Father. It is by humble prayer that we grow in charity. St. Augustine tells us that in the end we will each be judged by our charity, so we are wise now to do all in our power to grow in charity and to practice the virtue at every opportunity. Kindness especially costs so little and means so much. All it takes is one kind person to spread kindness and bring joy to many. In imitation of our Divine Master, let us be kind and compassionate to all, even our enemies, as that is the best way of being ambassadors of Christ and of the faith.
“God is charity: and he that abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him...” 1 John.4:16
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