Ecce Verbum
Charity as Friendship According to St. Thomas Aquinas.pdf
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"Love and charity in Aquinas: The perfection of intelligent will"
Bradley R. Cochran
The strategy of this inquiry into Thomistic charity will be as follows. Since Charity is a
species of love, examining Aquinas’s doctrine of love will immerse us into his Aristotelian
anthropology and help set the stage to attain better clarity on his doctrine of charity. It only
makes sense to understand the answer to the question “What is love?” before understanding “What kind of love is charity?” After looking at several ways Aquinas defines love, we will begin to penetrate a much larger picture of his overall anthropology that assigns an interdependent relationship between the intellect and will. Exploring the dynamics of love will underscore how central love is to human nature in Thomistic anthropology—it is in fact the very principle of human life and, in a certain sense, the very essence of the human soul.
#charity #aquinas
"Love and charity in Aquinas: The perfection of intelligent will"
Bradley R. Cochran
The strategy of this inquiry into Thomistic charity will be as follows. Since Charity is a
species of love, examining Aquinas’s doctrine of love will immerse us into his Aristotelian
anthropology and help set the stage to attain better clarity on his doctrine of charity. It only
makes sense to understand the answer to the question “What is love?” before understanding “What kind of love is charity?” After looking at several ways Aquinas defines love, we will begin to penetrate a much larger picture of his overall anthropology that assigns an interdependent relationship between the intellect and will. Exploring the dynamics of love will underscore how central love is to human nature in Thomistic anthropology—it is in fact the very principle of human life and, in a certain sense, the very essence of the human soul.
#charity #aquinas
Ecce Verbum
Aquinas on Degrees of Love of Neighbor A summary of Aquinas's division of love of neighbor in his work On the Perfection of the Spiritual Life. His aim here is explaining the perfection of the religious state and the episcopal state. Necessary love of neighbor…
On love and detachment
St. John of the Cross
The first is that you should have an equal love for and an equal forgetfulness of all persons, whether relatives or not, and withdraw your heart from relatives as much as from others, and in some ways even more for fear that flesh and blood may be quickened by the natural love that is ever alive among kin, and must always be mortified for the sake of spiritual perfection.
Regard all as strangers and you will fulfill your duty towards them better than by giving them the affection you owe God. Do not love one person more than another for you will err.
Though this seems inhuman and contradictory to the way John behave toward his own mother and brother, the tone finds its roots in the Gospel (Luke 14:26) -If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother, and wife and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Love must not be based on temporal goods, such as blood, status or titles (A. 3 18-20); nor on natural goods: beauty, intelligence, and so on (A. 3. 21-23)..The person who loves God more is the one more worthy of love, and you do not know who this is. But forgetting everyone alike, as is necessary for holy recollection, you will free yourself from this error of loving one person more or less than another.
#charity #detachment
St. John of the Cross
The first is that you should have an equal love for and an equal forgetfulness of all persons, whether relatives or not, and withdraw your heart from relatives as much as from others, and in some ways even more for fear that flesh and blood may be quickened by the natural love that is ever alive among kin, and must always be mortified for the sake of spiritual perfection.
Regard all as strangers and you will fulfill your duty towards them better than by giving them the affection you owe God. Do not love one person more than another for you will err.
Though this seems inhuman and contradictory to the way John behave toward his own mother and brother, the tone finds its roots in the Gospel (Luke 14:26) -If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother, and wife and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Love must not be based on temporal goods, such as blood, status or titles (A. 3 18-20); nor on natural goods: beauty, intelligence, and so on (A. 3. 21-23)..The person who loves God more is the one more worthy of love, and you do not know who this is. But forgetting everyone alike, as is necessary for holy recollection, you will free yourself from this error of loving one person more or less than another.
#charity #detachment
Ecce Verbum
The rule of Praesupponendum Saint Ignatius Loyola, Spiritual Exercises Praesupponendum means "Presupposition of Charity", whereby a person assumes the best intentions behind another person's statements. It is the principle of kindness and understanding,…
'When the intellect is moved by love for its neighbor, it always thinks well of him; but when it is under diabolic influence it entertains evil thoughts about him.'
St. Thalassios the Libyan, (5th century)
#charity
St. Thalassios the Libyan, (5th century)
#charity
•When St. Francis wished to lead anyone to live in a Christian manner and renounce worldliness, he would not speak of the exterior, but he spoke only to the heart and of the heart. For he knew that if this fortress is captured, all else surrenders.
•St. Philip Neri adopted the same course with his penitents. He was not accustomed to dwell much upon any vanities, but he would overlook as much as possible for some time, that he might more easily arrive at his object. When a lady once asked him whether it was a sin to wear very high heels, his only answer was, "Take care not to fall".
A man of noble birth dressed immodestly came to the Saint every day for a fortnight to consult him in regard to the affairs of his soul. During all this time he said not a word to him in regard to his dress. He took pains to make him feel compunction for the sins of his soul. Finally, becoming ashamed of his style of dress, he changed it of his own accord and made a good general confession.
#charity
credits to @laelizabeta
•St. Philip Neri adopted the same course with his penitents. He was not accustomed to dwell much upon any vanities, but he would overlook as much as possible for some time, that he might more easily arrive at his object. When a lady once asked him whether it was a sin to wear very high heels, his only answer was, "Take care not to fall".
A man of noble birth dressed immodestly came to the Saint every day for a fortnight to consult him in regard to the affairs of his soul. During all this time he said not a word to him in regard to his dress. He took pains to make him feel compunction for the sins of his soul. Finally, becoming ashamed of his style of dress, he changed it of his own accord and made a good general confession.
#charity
credits to @laelizabeta
Ecce Verbum
Correction of our neighbour "You become worse than the sinner if you fail to correct him" St. Augustine •We ought to respect the image of God in everyone. "Love is the most necessary of all virtues. Love in the person who preaches the word of God is like…
Do not criticise but build up
•Hebrews 10:25
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
•Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
•1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
•Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
•Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
•Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
•Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
•Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
#charity
painting: St Jadwiga, P. Stachiewicz
•Hebrews 10:25
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
•Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
•1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
•Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
•Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
•Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
•Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
•Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
#charity
painting: St Jadwiga, P. Stachiewicz
Ecce Verbum
The Saints on love of our neighbor "I give unto you: a new commandment that you love one another, as I have loved you. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" Jn 13,34. “He who has the goods of this world…
True love of neighbour
St. Francis de Sales
•"If we love our neighbour because he does us good or because he loves us, and brings us some advantage, honor, or pleasure, that is what we call a love of complacency, and is common to us with the animals.
If we love him for any good that we see in him, that is, on account of beauty, style, amiability or attractiveness, this is love of friendship, which we share with the heathens.
Therefore, neither of these is true love, and they are of no merit, because they are purely natural and of short duration, being founded upon motives which often cease to exist.
If fact, if we love anyone because he is virtuous, or handsome, or our friend, what will become of this love if he should cease to be virtuous, or handsome, or to love us, or, still worse, if he should become our enemy?
True love which alone is meritorious and lasting is that which arises from the charity which leads us to love our neighbour in God and for God; that is, because it pleases God, or because he is dear to God, or because God dwells in him, or that it may be so.
This does not hinder us from loving some more than others, when such preference does not arise from the greater good they do to us, but from the greater resemblance they have to God, or because God wills it."
•"True charity has no limits, for the love of God has been poured into our hearts by His Spirit dwelling in each one of us, calling us to a life of devotion and inviting us to bloom in the garden where He has planted and directing us to radiate the beauty and spread the fragrance of His Providence."
•Alas! if we consider our neighbor outside the Heart of Our Lord, we run the risk of not loving him fondly, nor constantly, nor impartially. But within It, who would not love him, live with him, tolerate his imperfections, who would find him disagreeable or tiresome? But our neighbor is in the Heart of Our Saviour, and he is so much loved by It, and considered so worthy of love, that the lover dies for love of him.
•"Charity is a love of friendship, a friendship of choice, a choice of preference, but an incomparable, a sovereign, and supernatural preference which is like a sun in the whole soul, to embellish it with its rays; in all our spiritual faculties to perfect them; in all our powers to moderate them; but in the will, as its seat, to reside there, and to make it cherish and love its God above all things."
•"Why should we not bear with those with whom He has borne, keeping before our eyes the great example of Jesus Christ praying on the Cross for His enemies? For they have not yet crucified us, they have not yet persecuted us to death, we have not yet resisted unto blows. But who will not love this beloved enemy for whom Jesus Christ has prayed and for whom He has died?"
#charity
St. Francis de Sales
•"If we love our neighbour because he does us good or because he loves us, and brings us some advantage, honor, or pleasure, that is what we call a love of complacency, and is common to us with the animals.
If we love him for any good that we see in him, that is, on account of beauty, style, amiability or attractiveness, this is love of friendship, which we share with the heathens.
Therefore, neither of these is true love, and they are of no merit, because they are purely natural and of short duration, being founded upon motives which often cease to exist.
If fact, if we love anyone because he is virtuous, or handsome, or our friend, what will become of this love if he should cease to be virtuous, or handsome, or to love us, or, still worse, if he should become our enemy?
True love which alone is meritorious and lasting is that which arises from the charity which leads us to love our neighbour in God and for God; that is, because it pleases God, or because he is dear to God, or because God dwells in him, or that it may be so.
This does not hinder us from loving some more than others, when such preference does not arise from the greater good they do to us, but from the greater resemblance they have to God, or because God wills it."
•"True charity has no limits, for the love of God has been poured into our hearts by His Spirit dwelling in each one of us, calling us to a life of devotion and inviting us to bloom in the garden where He has planted and directing us to radiate the beauty and spread the fragrance of His Providence."
•Alas! if we consider our neighbor outside the Heart of Our Lord, we run the risk of not loving him fondly, nor constantly, nor impartially. But within It, who would not love him, live with him, tolerate his imperfections, who would find him disagreeable or tiresome? But our neighbor is in the Heart of Our Saviour, and he is so much loved by It, and considered so worthy of love, that the lover dies for love of him.
•"Charity is a love of friendship, a friendship of choice, a choice of preference, but an incomparable, a sovereign, and supernatural preference which is like a sun in the whole soul, to embellish it with its rays; in all our spiritual faculties to perfect them; in all our powers to moderate them; but in the will, as its seat, to reside there, and to make it cherish and love its God above all things."
•"Why should we not bear with those with whom He has borne, keeping before our eyes the great example of Jesus Christ praying on the Cross for His enemies? For they have not yet crucified us, they have not yet persecuted us to death, we have not yet resisted unto blows. But who will not love this beloved enemy for whom Jesus Christ has prayed and for whom He has died?"
#charity
Ecce Verbum
St. Vincent de Paul and correctio fraterna St. Vincent de Paul, when he was obliged to give correction, did it with such a moderation and in a manner at once so sweet and so effective that even the hardest hearts were softened and could not resist the power…
St. Basil and correctio fraterna
"Be strict without anger or flaccidity. When reprimanding someone for negligence, we have to be careful to do it in the appropriate measure, keeping in mind God’s ways. A criminal uses a knife to cut members out of the body, so does also the surgeon. While the criminal’s use of the knife is violent and merciless and for evil actions, the surgeon is merciful and cautious when he holds the knife with a noble, fruitful purpose in mind. Let those who reprimand in good spirit, be moderate in God’s views so that the person they deal with benefits and gets rid of his negligence. As for those who are inflicted with anger, they do not serve God. Also, in order to achieve humility, reprimand should be moderate, in the appropriate time, and only when there is need for that. It is said that Moses was the most patient man on earth; even so, when there became a need to reprimand, he was so troubled that he ordered the murdering of his fellow Israelites without compassion (Ex 32: 19-29). The reason was that they made a calf statue and worshipped it. A person who does nothing all day long is, by no means, a modest person but rather a passive one."
"A person who is in search of praise and avoids hurting people to get their love, is
not being a constructive instructor. Whereas, he who has got over such weaknesses, he is capable of overtly proclaiming the word of God with no affectation; actually, this is the one who truly loves his fellowmen."
source
Read more:
St. Vincent de Paul and correctio fraterna
Fr. Gabriel and correctio fraterna (Divine Intimacy)
Correction of our neighbours (selection of quotes)
We ought to edify others by our conduct (selection of quotes)
#charity #correction
"Be strict without anger or flaccidity. When reprimanding someone for negligence, we have to be careful to do it in the appropriate measure, keeping in mind God’s ways. A criminal uses a knife to cut members out of the body, so does also the surgeon. While the criminal’s use of the knife is violent and merciless and for evil actions, the surgeon is merciful and cautious when he holds the knife with a noble, fruitful purpose in mind. Let those who reprimand in good spirit, be moderate in God’s views so that the person they deal with benefits and gets rid of his negligence. As for those who are inflicted with anger, they do not serve God. Also, in order to achieve humility, reprimand should be moderate, in the appropriate time, and only when there is need for that. It is said that Moses was the most patient man on earth; even so, when there became a need to reprimand, he was so troubled that he ordered the murdering of his fellow Israelites without compassion (Ex 32: 19-29). The reason was that they made a calf statue and worshipped it. A person who does nothing all day long is, by no means, a modest person but rather a passive one."
"A person who is in search of praise and avoids hurting people to get their love, is
not being a constructive instructor. Whereas, he who has got over such weaknesses, he is capable of overtly proclaiming the word of God with no affectation; actually, this is the one who truly loves his fellowmen."
source
Read more:
St. Vincent de Paul and correctio fraterna
Fr. Gabriel and correctio fraterna (Divine Intimacy)
Correction of our neighbours (selection of quotes)
We ought to edify others by our conduct (selection of quotes)
#charity #correction
www.newadvent.org
SUMMA THEOLOGIAE: Fraternal correction (Secunda Secundae Partis, Q. 33)
Is fraternal correction an act of charity? Is it a matter of precept? Does this precept bind all, or only superiors? Does this precept bind the subject to correct his superior? May a sinner correct anyone? Should one correct a person who becomes worse through…
St. Juan de Avila on charity of the Saints in Heaven
"The best way to possess true charity and understand what it is, is to consider how the Blessed in heaven practise it, because the more closely we imitate them, the more perfect shall we be in that virtue.
The love which the saints bear towards God transforms their will, so that it becomes one with His : that is, they can wish, or not wish, only what He does ; because, as St. Denis says, one effect of love is to make the will of those that love one, and God's whole love and will are centred upon His own glory and essence, which is supremely perfect. It therefore follows that the love of the saints is that single-minded affection and will, with which they long, with all their strength, that God may be in Himself as good, and glorious, and adorable as He is.
Seeing Him to possess all these perfections, they feel an ineffable joy, which is the fruit of the Holy Ghost. It will give us some idea of what this happiness is, if we consider how a good son rejoices in seeing his father rich, powerful, wise, beloved and respected by all, and honoured by the king. Indeed, some children are so dutiful, that no troubles or misfortunes of their own can destroy the pleasure they feel in their parents' prosperity, which they consider of the first importance.
Now if this human joy for a parent be so great, what must be the jubilation of the saints, transformed as they are by heavenly love, at beholding that God is so holy, perfect, and rich in excellence. They see that, as Creator of the universe, He, by one single act of His will, gave all things their beauty and being, and upholds them in existence, so that not a single leaf can rustle in the wind but by His consent.
Behold the joy “such as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man.” (1. Cor. II. 9.) This, then, as far as it is possible for us to understand it, is the “charity” of the just in heaven. From this overflowing river which gladdens the city of God, comes, as a streamlet, their love for their neighbour."
from Letters of Blessed Juan de Avila, pp. 126-127.]
#charity
"The best way to possess true charity and understand what it is, is to consider how the Blessed in heaven practise it, because the more closely we imitate them, the more perfect shall we be in that virtue.
The love which the saints bear towards God transforms their will, so that it becomes one with His : that is, they can wish, or not wish, only what He does ; because, as St. Denis says, one effect of love is to make the will of those that love one, and God's whole love and will are centred upon His own glory and essence, which is supremely perfect. It therefore follows that the love of the saints is that single-minded affection and will, with which they long, with all their strength, that God may be in Himself as good, and glorious, and adorable as He is.
Seeing Him to possess all these perfections, they feel an ineffable joy, which is the fruit of the Holy Ghost. It will give us some idea of what this happiness is, if we consider how a good son rejoices in seeing his father rich, powerful, wise, beloved and respected by all, and honoured by the king. Indeed, some children are so dutiful, that no troubles or misfortunes of their own can destroy the pleasure they feel in their parents' prosperity, which they consider of the first importance.
Now if this human joy for a parent be so great, what must be the jubilation of the saints, transformed as they are by heavenly love, at beholding that God is so holy, perfect, and rich in excellence. They see that, as Creator of the universe, He, by one single act of His will, gave all things their beauty and being, and upholds them in existence, so that not a single leaf can rustle in the wind but by His consent.
Behold the joy “such as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man.” (1. Cor. II. 9.) This, then, as far as it is possible for us to understand it, is the “charity” of the just in heaven. From this overflowing river which gladdens the city of God, comes, as a streamlet, their love for their neighbour."
from Letters of Blessed Juan de Avila, pp. 126-127.]
#charity
Google Books
Letters of Blessed John of Avila
Looking through the prism of truth and goodness
Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński
Maritain, in his book "Le payson de la Garconne", which was written after his return from the Council, said that it had become popular to say that the Church intervenes in temporal matters, in social, political, economic life - "ratione peccati". Thus, wherever it is necessary to protect the human life from sin, from weakness, from perversion, that the Church is needed to act as guardian of public, social morality.
Maritain points out that it is not appropriate to look at the whole temporal and material world only through the prism of possible sin - 'ratione peccati'. Rather, one must look through the prism of the good that is contained in this world: in family life, cultural life, political life, international life. In the whole natural order, one must be able to perceive the good that is in it and which, as a result of the influence of the Gospel of Christ and the teachings of the Church, can develop and mature into a fullness hitherto unattainable.
Let us learn to look at the world through the prism of the good - "ratione boni" - that is contained in it. Let us try to change our outlook, not to give in to the suggestive image that there is sin, danger, temptation lurking somewhere out there, and so let us run away, let us fear, let us be afraid, let us close our eyes, let us not want to see it.
That would mean negation, and one cannot live and deal with the world in constant fear that some evil may be unleashed somewhere. One must change one's style of thinking, reasoning, feeling, one must first see the good in the world. One has to break free, as it were, from one's personal weaknesses or partisan way of thinking in order to perceive the good that is in a person or a thing and to desire the fullness of its development.
It is also necessary for us to break away from acquired ways of looking, contacting, relating to our neighbor - so that our personal sin is not superimposed on someone else, so that we do not look at others through the prism of our own weaknesses and faults, but see in them the true, substantial values - the good that is in every person and thing. In so doing, we adopt the right attitude towards persons and things, without calling evil what God, in the act of creation, has called good and which He Himself has praised.
*Translated from a sermon delivered in Warsaw, 8 August 1967
#charity
Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński
Maritain, in his book "Le payson de la Garconne", which was written after his return from the Council, said that it had become popular to say that the Church intervenes in temporal matters, in social, political, economic life - "ratione peccati". Thus, wherever it is necessary to protect the human life from sin, from weakness, from perversion, that the Church is needed to act as guardian of public, social morality.
Maritain points out that it is not appropriate to look at the whole temporal and material world only through the prism of possible sin - 'ratione peccati'. Rather, one must look through the prism of the good that is contained in this world: in family life, cultural life, political life, international life. In the whole natural order, one must be able to perceive the good that is in it and which, as a result of the influence of the Gospel of Christ and the teachings of the Church, can develop and mature into a fullness hitherto unattainable.
Let us learn to look at the world through the prism of the good - "ratione boni" - that is contained in it. Let us try to change our outlook, not to give in to the suggestive image that there is sin, danger, temptation lurking somewhere out there, and so let us run away, let us fear, let us be afraid, let us close our eyes, let us not want to see it.
That would mean negation, and one cannot live and deal with the world in constant fear that some evil may be unleashed somewhere. One must change one's style of thinking, reasoning, feeling, one must first see the good in the world. One has to break free, as it were, from one's personal weaknesses or partisan way of thinking in order to perceive the good that is in a person or a thing and to desire the fullness of its development.
It is also necessary for us to break away from acquired ways of looking, contacting, relating to our neighbor - so that our personal sin is not superimposed on someone else, so that we do not look at others through the prism of our own weaknesses and faults, but see in them the true, substantial values - the good that is in every person and thing. In so doing, we adopt the right attitude towards persons and things, without calling evil what God, in the act of creation, has called good and which He Himself has praised.
*Translated from a sermon delivered in Warsaw, 8 August 1967
#charity
Ecce Verbum
Looking through the prism of truth and goodness Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński Maritain, in his book "Le payson de la Garconne", which was written after his return from the Council, said that it had become popular to say that the Church intervenes in temporal…
Social cooperation and sensitivity to the needs of others
Let us begin with the subject of reciprocity, the spiritual attitude of the heart. One can notice the modern tendency to adapt oneself to the lower level of others to avoid conflict. However, it should be the other way around. Rather, we should strive to raise our standards. We are all called to lift our neighbors up. The Book of Proverbs tells us: "He shall render unto him good, and not evil, for all the days of his life." Of course, this requires self-forgetfulness, heroism, peace, and a balanced spirit. One of the parties must be more skilled at bringing about the peace of God. This teaching has great importance, especially in the family. St. Paul says that if anyone does not take care of his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (Tim 5:8).
It is a problem of living in the community as a whole. Sometimes we are so accustomed to the service and helpfulness of others that we completely forget who those people truly are. They are our equals, and if they do us favours, it is not always out of obligation, but sometimes out of their great kindness and charity. And we think we are entitled to this kindness and so grow in pride. We ought to behave in such a way that no one ever has to clean after us, that we put everything in its proper place, and that we do not expect someone else to do our duties for us.
Whenever we benefit from the kindness of others, let us remember that we are all God's co-workers in service to the world and in doing good to others. If there are people who help us, let us remember that we are working with them for God's glory. They may be dependent on us, not necessarily in service, perhaps through a friendship that draws them to us, so that they simply cannot do otherwise than to help and assist. In this way, bonds of mutual dependence are formed. If we experience kindness, we ourselves must show it even more.
We have a moral duty to know the needs of those around us, to guess, and to predict. Let us not wait to be asked.
It is not only our surroundings that benefit enormously from this, but also ourselves, if we are attentive to other people. Being attentive to the little things is of great educational value to us and one of the apostolic qualities. May we never look at our neighbour with superiority. It is simply a sign of spiritual immaturity.
*Translated from a sermon delivered in Warsaw, 1964
#charity
Let us begin with the subject of reciprocity, the spiritual attitude of the heart. One can notice the modern tendency to adapt oneself to the lower level of others to avoid conflict. However, it should be the other way around. Rather, we should strive to raise our standards. We are all called to lift our neighbors up. The Book of Proverbs tells us: "He shall render unto him good, and not evil, for all the days of his life." Of course, this requires self-forgetfulness, heroism, peace, and a balanced spirit. One of the parties must be more skilled at bringing about the peace of God. This teaching has great importance, especially in the family. St. Paul says that if anyone does not take care of his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (Tim 5:8).
It is a problem of living in the community as a whole. Sometimes we are so accustomed to the service and helpfulness of others that we completely forget who those people truly are. They are our equals, and if they do us favours, it is not always out of obligation, but sometimes out of their great kindness and charity. And we think we are entitled to this kindness and so grow in pride. We ought to behave in such a way that no one ever has to clean after us, that we put everything in its proper place, and that we do not expect someone else to do our duties for us.
Whenever we benefit from the kindness of others, let us remember that we are all God's co-workers in service to the world and in doing good to others. If there are people who help us, let us remember that we are working with them for God's glory. They may be dependent on us, not necessarily in service, perhaps through a friendship that draws them to us, so that they simply cannot do otherwise than to help and assist. In this way, bonds of mutual dependence are formed. If we experience kindness, we ourselves must show it even more.
We have a moral duty to know the needs of those around us, to guess, and to predict. Let us not wait to be asked.
It is not only our surroundings that benefit enormously from this, but also ourselves, if we are attentive to other people. Being attentive to the little things is of great educational value to us and one of the apostolic qualities. May we never look at our neighbour with superiority. It is simply a sign of spiritual immaturity.
*Translated from a sermon delivered in Warsaw, 1964
#charity