Hidden Charity
Mar 17, 2019 15:09:52 GMT
Post by Admin on Mar 17, 2019 15:09:52 GMT
The Angelus - May 1980
HIDDEN CHARITY
IF YOU ARE REALLY STRIVING to build your daily life upon the solid foundation of the Gospel and to nourish your soul with the Catholic spirit of
prayer, there will grow and ripen in your heart that spirit of charity which is ever ready to give without being noticed. Here are a few suggestions concerning hidden charity which St. Francis of Assisi left us.
The road is muddy. At one side is a path that is not quite as dirty as the rest. This path you take in order to save your shoes and clothing. Presently someone walks toward you. Who is to step aside and let the other pass? Quietly you should strive to be that one, even if it were a child or a tramp to whom you show this act of hidden charity.
A person with whom you have to live is very irritable and grouchy today. You, too, feel more nervous and tired than usual. You are ready to show your
annoyance; overcome it. Let the sun of cheerfulness and charity shine on your face. Your tongue is ready to answer in words that are intended to wound your neighbor like a poisoned arrow. Do not speak them, but rather give a mild and gentle answer. This is a beautiful, delicate act of charity of which your neighbor is not aware. No doubt this means a struggle on your part, but it is well worthwhile. These unnoticed acts of charity will be the source of untold happiness for your soul. You have given pleasure to God, and God in turn has rewarded you, with this difference that God is more generous than you ever can be!
Uncharitable thoughts about your neighbor keep crowding your mind—keep them down; think well of your neighbor and act charitably towards him. This will not be so difficult if you call upon God for assistance; remember, only He knows the worth of your neighbor’s soul and, therefore, He alone can judge him rightly. Think of your own sins and shortcomings and, if these are not as numerous as those of other people, consider that this is not your merit but a gratuitous gift of God. The practice of generous hidden charity finds nowhere a more fertile soil for cultivation than in your attitude toward your neighbor.
prayer, there will grow and ripen in your heart that spirit of charity which is ever ready to give without being noticed. Here are a few suggestions concerning hidden charity which St. Francis of Assisi left us.
The road is muddy. At one side is a path that is not quite as dirty as the rest. This path you take in order to save your shoes and clothing. Presently someone walks toward you. Who is to step aside and let the other pass? Quietly you should strive to be that one, even if it were a child or a tramp to whom you show this act of hidden charity.
A person with whom you have to live is very irritable and grouchy today. You, too, feel more nervous and tired than usual. You are ready to show your
annoyance; overcome it. Let the sun of cheerfulness and charity shine on your face. Your tongue is ready to answer in words that are intended to wound your neighbor like a poisoned arrow. Do not speak them, but rather give a mild and gentle answer. This is a beautiful, delicate act of charity of which your neighbor is not aware. No doubt this means a struggle on your part, but it is well worthwhile. These unnoticed acts of charity will be the source of untold happiness for your soul. You have given pleasure to God, and God in turn has rewarded you, with this difference that God is more generous than you ever can be!
Uncharitable thoughts about your neighbor keep crowding your mind—keep them down; think well of your neighbor and act charitably towards him. This will not be so difficult if you call upon God for assistance; remember, only He knows the worth of your neighbor’s soul and, therefore, He alone can judge him rightly. Think of your own sins and shortcomings and, if these are not as numerous as those of other people, consider that this is not your merit but a gratuitous gift of God. The practice of generous hidden charity finds nowhere a more fertile soil for cultivation than in your attitude toward your neighbor.
Someone has treated you meanly, has ridiculed you publicly so that it seems you cannot endure the insult any longer. You discover how you may pay
him back in his own coin and you are very eager to do so. No, my dear Christian, do not take revenge, rather be silent; treat your enemy gently and kindly. Your hidden charity will heap coals of fire upon his head; your silence is useful to you and to him, whereas revenge would be harmful to you both.
If you are working in the field of education, you need a very generous amount of hidden charity to lay a solid foundation of true happiness for the children entrusted to your care.
Daily we can observe on the streets of our large cities that people pass each other without greeting and without notice. You, as a good Christian, should sometimes breathe a short prayer for those whom you pass, because both you and they are children of the one God in heaven. Likewise bless fields and cities and houses that you pass in your travel.
Often you read of misfortunes and calamities that have befallen persons or districts or nations. Be not like the priest or Levite in the Gospel ;rather, be like the merciful Samaritan and show your charity by a fervent prayer whispered for those in distress.
If you are confined to a bed of sickness, suffer patiently and offer it to God for the welfare of the Church, the souls in purgatory, for sinners, for those
in need.
Acts of love and service, whether they are hidden or become known, are of equal merit, provided that they are animated by the right spirit and intention. Practice hidden charity and imitate our Divine Savior Who suffered for you on the cross and opened heaven for you without your knowledge, and who even now remains hidden in the Sacrament of the Eucharist for love of you.
him back in his own coin and you are very eager to do so. No, my dear Christian, do not take revenge, rather be silent; treat your enemy gently and kindly. Your hidden charity will heap coals of fire upon his head; your silence is useful to you and to him, whereas revenge would be harmful to you both.
If you are working in the field of education, you need a very generous amount of hidden charity to lay a solid foundation of true happiness for the children entrusted to your care.
Daily we can observe on the streets of our large cities that people pass each other without greeting and without notice. You, as a good Christian, should sometimes breathe a short prayer for those whom you pass, because both you and they are children of the one God in heaven. Likewise bless fields and cities and houses that you pass in your travel.
Often you read of misfortunes and calamities that have befallen persons or districts or nations. Be not like the priest or Levite in the Gospel ;rather, be like the merciful Samaritan and show your charity by a fervent prayer whispered for those in distress.
If you are confined to a bed of sickness, suffer patiently and offer it to God for the welfare of the Church, the souls in purgatory, for sinners, for those
in need.
Acts of love and service, whether they are hidden or become known, are of equal merit, provided that they are animated by the right spirit and intention. Practice hidden charity and imitate our Divine Savior Who suffered for you on the cross and opened heaven for you without your knowledge, and who even now remains hidden in the Sacrament of the Eucharist for love of you.