More Than One Kind of Charity

Image from rony michaud@pixabay

During this season of Lent, the readings emphasize forgiveness, compassion, reconciliation, and charity. I feel chastised and convicted of not doing enough, especially charity. I worry about standing with the goats instead of the sheep at the Final Judgement.

My life hasn’t presented earth changing opportunities for charity. Now that my children are grown, should I be doing something else with my life? None of my talents lean toward the life style Mother Teresa led, and then what of my husband? He would not agree to sell everything we have, give it all to the poor, and become missionaries. Is that what God is asking of me?

What about the talents He gave me for painting and for writing? How can I use those to help the poor? Or can I?

My meditation in Living Faith this morning prompted a divine response to all my questions. Author Teri Milfek recalled an irate motorist behind her at a red light. The impatient driver blew his horn at the moment the light turned green. She was angry until she realized she had done the same thing to another driver. Where was her compassion?

How many times have I done something similar? Yet, how did this tie in with my desire to be more charitable?

God filled my heart with the answer. Charity isn’t just giving food, water, and alms. It is also charity in heart and mind, giving the benefit of the doubt, offering understanding rather than criticism, forgiving when we’d rather hold a grudge.

Every single moment of my life can be an act of charity. As Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:45.

Praying for my enemies is an act of charity.

Smiling instead of growling at the impatient driver behind me at the red light is also an act of charity.

Watching the news and not thinking evil thoughts about those creating such discordance and suffering is an act of charity.

Offering money or food to a vagrant without judgement is an act of charity.

Offering my assistance at church for various projects is an act of charity.

Donating my paintings or giving them away, brightening someone’s life in a small way, is an act of charity.

Continuing to write my novels despite the lack of bucket loads of good reviews and sales is an act of charity.

Help me, Lord, to be more charitable from this day forward. Amen.