Dear Parishioners,

I was recently preparing for the Bible Study. Part of the study involves answering discussion questions and this particular question caught my attention. It reads, “God granted King Solomon the gift of wisdom as per Solomon’s request. If God were to grant you a special gift, what would you ask for? Why?”

When I read that question, I immediately thought of an answer: charity. After all, when we go to heaven, all we will have is the love we showed others. Charity is also the highest of the theological virtues. As expressed by St. Paul, “So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor 13:13) Jesus Himself states that loving God and neighbor are the two great commandments that summarize the entire law. (Matthew 22:36-40) So, all things considered, this was the best answer and something we should all be striving for as Christians.

But, then I had a second thought: how would one’s life need to change if they were to live out this level of charity? A loving person will bear the faults of others willingly, thinking of other’s goods before his or her own. A loving person isn’t indifferent but will give to others what they need. A loving person will not be jealous of the gifts and abilities God grants to others. A loving person doesn’t hate others. A loving person is not lazy when it comes to worshiping God. A loving person is thankful for everything given to him or her. A loving person responds without hesitation to the promptings of God. A loving person will love even his or her enemy, not showing favoritism. (see CCC 1822-1829; 2093-2094)

Then, I had a less altruistic thought: is that what I really want? When I examine my own conscience, I realize that I would much rather do my own thing and enjoy myself. I fall into the trap of thinking, “I do my duty and confess my sins, what more can be expected of me?” And in that moment, I realized what a gap there is between me and a saint. My brain knows how things should be and what ought to be done. But, my heart is weak in the love of God.

Yet, this is what God ultimately made us all for and what we should all be trying to do with our lives. We are made to receive the love of God and share that love with others. I hope that we can all pray today to fully live out the gift of charity. If not, may we learn to pray to desire it. We should never think that we are perfect in this life because deep down we can always grow in the virtue of charity.

God bless,

Father Carter