Dr. Helen Titilola OLOJEDE

Today, I want us to discuss charity from The Way of St. Josemaria Escriva. First, what do you consider charity to be? In today’s world, people tend to equate charity with exchange by barter in some kind of ‘do me, I do you fashion.’ However, this is not the template Christ gives us.

In par. 440 Escriva writes: “When you have finished your work, to your brother’s (and sisters) helping him, for Christ’s sake, so tactfully and so naturally that no one – not even he – will realise that you are doing more than what in justice you ought. This, indeed, is virtue befitting a son of God!” This passage tells us to assist others without making a show of it or rubbing it in as it says “tactfully.” Is our charity in like manner, or do we go to town with it?

 

441 – You are hurt by your neighbour’s lack of charity towards you. Think how God must be hurt by your lack of charity – of Love – towards him! These words contradict popular ideas sometimes expressed in ‘your attitude to me determines my attitude to you.’ Christ wants us to be good to our sisters and brothers, not because they are deserving of it, but because they may have hurt us in countless ways, but to love them for Christ’s sake because it is the same way Christ loves us, in spite of our sinful ways and shortcomings.

 

These ideas are further buttressed in pars 442 & 444 thus: “never think badly of anyone, not even if the words or conducts of the person in question give you good grounds for doing so. Never speak badly of your brother (or sister), not even when you have plenty of reasons. Go first to the Tabernacle, and then go to the priest your father, and tell him also what is worrying you. And no one else.” This might be a bit harder to practice. However, we are called, in charity, to refrain from speaking ill of people who have offended us, despite the fact that we are justified in speaking ill of them. A practical way to do this is to ensure to stop mid-sentence when we have unconsciously started speaking ill of the person. It is about striving against our natural inclinations to desist from thinking badly or speaking ill of another. Catching ourselves midway, even when we have involuntarily begun to talk badly of others, is exemplified in par. 453 – … if you do not learn to check your tongue, each word will take you one step nearer the exit from the apostolic undertaking in which you work.

 

May the Lord grant us the grace to abide by His will.