July 17, 2007

Christian charity

Christian charity involves helping to provide for the basic necessities of life; food, water, shelter, clothing, etc. However, real authentic Christian charity extends beyond these needs and into people’s humanity, into love, laughter, genuine concern, sincere interest in how a person is doing and the commitment to transmit to others the dignity God has bestowed upon them by one’s own gift of self to the other person.

There are more people today who are lonely than are dying of starvation. There are more people today who feel as if life has no meaning than are homeless. There are more people who are depressed or suffering some other emotional or psychological difficulty than are thirsty.

Christian charity involves the whole person, and because it involves the whole person there will never be a shortage of people to minister to. Also, you will not necessarily have to travel very far; you can begin today with the people you live with and all those who find their way into your life.

Br. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock CFR

St. Joseph Friary, New York, NY

_____________________________________________