Powerful words of Saints on Charity
“Love is patient, is kind; charity does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
In this passage, St. Paul describes the qualities and characteristics of charity, or love. He begins by stating that charity is patient and kind, which means that it is slow to anger and is marked by gentleness and kindness towards others. Charity does not envy, which means that it does not feel jealous or resentful of what others have or do. It also does not boast or act in a proud or arrogant manner, and it does not seek to dishonor or belittle others.
Furthermore, charity is selfless and is not motivated by self-interest or self-gain. It is not easily angered, which means that it is able to control its emotions and reactions to difficult situations. It also does not keep a record of wrongs or hold grudges, but rather strives to forgive and show mercy.
Finally, charity does not delight in evil or wrongdoing, but rather rejoices in the truth and in what is good. It always protects and supports others, trusts in them and in God, hopes for the best for them, and perseveres in love, even in difficult times.
Charity is the virtue that brings us closer to God and helps us to form a deeper connection with Him. This connection with God is essential to our spiritual growth and development, as it allows us to experience His love, mercy, and grace, and to respond to His call to love and serve others.
Charity is often described as the highest virtue, because it is the virtue that enables us to love God above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). By loving God and others selflessly and sincerely, we are able to grow in holiness and to become more like Jesus, who is the perfect embodiment of love. In loving God and others, we also fulfill the two greatest commandments given to us by Jesus (Matthew 22:37-40).
Thus, charity is an essential virtue that helps us to grow closer to God and to live out His call to love and serve others.
“Charity is the virtue that unites us to God.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
“Charity is the most important of all the virtues, because without it all the others are useless.” – St. Vincent de Paul
“Charity is the door through which the Trinity enters the soul.” – St. Augustine
“Charity is the bond of perfection.” – St. Paul (Colossians 3:14)
“Charity is the virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
“Charity is the virtue that inclines us to give freely to God and neighbor out of love.” – St. John Paul II
“Charity is the highest of the virtues, because it is the love of God, and it implies all the other virtues.” – St. Augustine
