WORKS DONE IN CHARITY
NEVER do evil for anything in the world, or for
the love of any man. For one who is in need, however, a good work may
at times be purposely left undone or changed for a better one. This is
not the omission of a good deed but rather its improvement.
Without charity external work is of no value,
but anything done in charity, be it ever so small and trivial, is
entirely fruitful inasmuch as God weighs the love with which a man
acts rather than the deed itself.
He does much who loves much. He does much who
does a thing well. He does well who serves the common good rather than
his own interests.
Now, that which seems to be charity is
oftentimes really sensuality, for man's own inclination, his own will,
his hope of reward, and his self-interest, are motives seldom absent.
On the contrary, he who has true and perfect charity seeks self in
nothing, but searches all things for the glory of God. Moreover, he
envies no man, because he desires no personal pleasure nor does he
wish to rejoice in himself; rather he desires the greater glory of God
above all things. He ascribes to man nothing that is good but
attributes it wholly to God from Whom all things proceed as from a
fountain, and in Whom all the blessed shall rest as their last end and
fruition.
If man had but a spark of true charity he would
surely sense that all the things of earth are full of vanity! |
Of works of charity
For no worldly good whatsoever,
and for the love of no man, must anything be done which is evil, but
for the help of the suffering a good work must sometimes be postponed,
or be changed for a better; for herein a good work is not destroyed,
but improved. Without charity no work profiteth, but whatsoever is
done in charity, however small and of no reputation it be, bringeth
forth good fruit; for God verily considereth what a man is able to do,
more than the greatness of what he doth.
2. He doth much who loveth much.
He doth much who doth well. He doth well who ministereth to the
public good rather than to his own. Oftentimes that seemeth to be
charity which is rather carnality, because it springeth from natural
inclination, self-will, hope of repayment, desire of gain.
3. He who hath true and perfect
charity, in no wise seeketh his own good, but desireth that God alone
be altogether glorified. He envieth none, because he longeth for no
selfish joy; nor doth he desire to rejoice in himself, but longeth to
be blessed in God as the highest good. He ascribeth good to none save
to God only, the Fountain whence all good proceedeth, and the End, the
Peace, the joy of all Saints. Oh, he who hath but a spark of true
charity, hath verily learned that all worldly things are full of
vanity. |