INDY at SunriseOctober, 2008
So please listen to the words of wisdom offered by Archabbot Lambert Reilly, O.S.B. in his book Latin Saying for Spiritual Growth.
Caritas prima sibi
("Charity is first to itself.")
John Wycliffe
~~~Where does love begin?
The Scriptures offers the answer, simple and profound: "God is love" (1John 4:8).
God is the source of love. God's love surrounds us from our beginnings, offering us an embrace we are free to accept or reject, filling us with a peace we are free to keep for ourselves and to share.
And what then? God loves us, so whom must we love?
It's not enough to love in general or to profess love for people we never meet. We're called to love people, as they are unique and specific brothers and sisters.
The only place to begin, then is with those around us, as the common translation of this saying instructs: "Charity begins at home."
As with every other virtue, love takes practice. We learn how to love by taking small steps of kindness and sacrifice right where we are, with those closest to us. At home we develop this habit of love, so when we walk out the door into the business of our daily live, we bring God's love wherever we are and to whomever we chance to meet that day.
~~~~~~~
Why this call to love, yet again. It should be a constant call for us privileged enough to have the capacity to GIVE. Today I have heard that food pantries everywhere are having a difficult time feed the poor. It will only get worse before it gets better. We love our family enough to feed them in many ways. We feed with hugs, attention, and love that feeds the spirit and soul. But food for the body may be a commodity which we take for granted and because we have never really been hungry. I would, therefore, challenge anyone reading this to contribute to the local food pantry in your area. You need not take food to the pantry. Perhaps your church has a food drive or place to leave food donations. Even better!!! Send a check directly to the local food pantry so they can shop for their needs and supply what is most needed. Call the local St. Vincent de Paul. You know best!!
Right now my stomach is comfortably full. But out there are children and the elderly who are not as fortunate. Many homeless only have an occasional meal at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Please pray for them, yes, but also contribute to THEIR welfare in a concrete way. GIVE the love that begins at home to those in great need. Give as He gave...until it hurt!
Right now my stomach is comfortably full. But out there are children and the elderly who are not as fortunate. Many homeless only have an occasional meal at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Please pray for them, yes, but also contribute to THEIR welfare in a concrete way. GIVE the love that begins at home to those in great need. Give as He gave...until it hurt!
~~~+~~~
For you all I say,
"Thanks be to God."
For you all I say,
"Thanks be to God."
Cathy wise words:)..We must stop the all pervasive thinking of 'the government must DO something'. NO! As a community we must also help ourselves and each other. Dont wait for the Government to do something do it yourselves.
ReplyDeleteI intend to put my own words into action next year by reaching out to a school in my area where noone cares about it. WHY? Because the school children are mainly Aboriginals and so their school is falling into disrepair..While private schools flourish. There needs to be a balance and WE as people of God need to step up and be counted.
Excellent points Cathy!
Peace, joy & love to you:)
Marie xooxoxox
Thank you, Marie. You know, I think pride is another cause of complacency. Perhaps, someone thinks their achievements makes them exempt from "pain." I'm willing to bet there are those out there now who know better and wish they could have helped others when they had the chance rather than being the recipients they would rather be the ones to offer assistance. I want to help now...I should be helping all the time! It's not a just a trite quote...It's a command! "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
ReplyDeletea thought full and action provoking post, cathy. you express the stirrings of your heart so well.
ReplyDeletelaure
You are kind...Thank you, Laure.
ReplyDeleteWonderful contemplation! I just did a phone survey last night about charity (charitable giving) in which the questioner tried to pull out the conclusion that charity begins with the government. SO not true! True charity enlarges and benefits our own hearts as much or more than it helps others!
ReplyDeleteWords of wisdom indeed, Cathy. It reminds us how important it is to encourage children too to be charitable at home - and to witness charity at home - so they too can bring it out the door and into the world around them.
ReplyDeleteLisa, you are so right. If we wait for the government to "give" we could be waiting a LONG time. We have to take the initiative!
ReplyDeleteAnn, I'm reminded of my neice Megan, an only child, who when she was 5 colored Easter eggs so she could hide them for the neighbor kids so they coudl have a Happy Easter and be surprised. See? Giving can be most rewarding!
Wonderful post and gorgeous picture!!
ReplyDeleteGIVING and volunteering are my life time jobs.
ReplyDeleteWe are born into this world for other purposes too. So, share, care and love others by giving...Those are my normals words of wisdom to my children.
They give great pleasure and its more rewarding each time you manage to ease another person off her misfortune.
People in despair are the most grateful people on this earth.
Thank you Tracy.
ReplyDeleteMy admiration to you,royaltylady. A true model for us all to emulate. Thank you!