14. The Year of Faith will also be a good opportunity to
intensify the witness of charity. As Saint Paul reminds us: “So faith, hope, love
abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13).
With even stronger words – which have always placed Christians under obligation
– Saint James said: “What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has
faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is
ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace,
be warmed and filled’, without giving them the things needed for the body, what
does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone
will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your
works, and I by my works will show you my faith” (Jas 2:14-18).
Faith without charity bears no fruit, while charity
without faith would be a sentiment constantly at the mercy of doubt. Faith and
charity each require the other; in such a way that each allows the other to set
out along its respective path. Indeed, many Christians dedicate their lives
with love to those who are lonely, marginalized or excluded, as to those who
are the first with a claim on our attention and the most important for us to
support, because it is in them that the reflection of Christ’s own face is
seen. Through faith, we can recognize the face of the risen Lord in those who
ask for our love. “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you
did it to me” (Mt 25:40). These words are a warning that must not
be forgotten and a perennial invitation to return the love by which he takes
care of us. It is faith that enables us to recognize Christ and it is his love
that impels us to assist him whenever he becomes our neighbor along the journey
of life. Supported by faith, let us look with hope at our commitment in the
world, as we await “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells”
(2 Pet 3:13; cf. Rev 21:1).
Quotes from
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta:
I pray that you will understand the words of Jesus, “Love
one another as I have loved you.” Ask yourself “How has he loved me? Do I
really love others in the same way?” Unless this love is among us, we can kill
ourselves with work and it will only be work, not love. Work without love is
slavery.
Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful
in little things is a great thing.
A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, must empty
ourselves. The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the
fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is
peace.
Jesus is my God,
Jesus is my Spouse,
Jesus is my Life,
Jesus is my only Love,
Jesus is my All in All;
Jesus is my Everything."
Make us worthy, Lord, to serve those people throughout
the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands,
this day, their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give them peace and
joy.
You and I, we are the Church, no? We have to share with
our people. Suffering today is because people are hoarding, not giving, not
sharing. Jesus made it very clear. Whatever you do to the least of my
brethren, you do it to me. Give a glass of water, you give it to me. Receive a little
child, you receive me.
If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive. (http://www.ewtn.com/motherteresa/words.htm)
Prayer: An Act of Charity
"O my God, I
love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all
good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee.
I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.
Amen."
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