It is through the Sacred Scriptures that we learn about God’s love, for as St. John writes, “God is Love.”  All Christians, including Christian families, are called to practice charity because Jesus is present in every person, especially the poor and needy.  In our baptism we are made “priest, prophet, and king” and the exercise of charity is a living out of the family’s kingly mission to serve other.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI explains that there are three unique elements to fruitful Christian charity that distinguish it from any other form of social assistance:  a heartfelt concern for the fullness of another person’s humanity, a “heart which sees,” and faith.

For Christian charity it is not enough simply to meet the needs of the moment, such as food or shelter.  The Christian must also “dedicate themselves to the heartfelt concern, enabling them to experience the richness of their humanity.”  One way in which we can do that is by allowing the person who receives the charity to give back to the giver. I am not talking about “paying them back,” rather by welcoming their gifts of friendship and faith.

In order to allow this deeper giving and sharing, families need a “formation of the heart” that comes from an encounter with God in Jesus Christ.  Such an encounter awakens the Christian heart to love and opens their spirits to others. This new heart looks upon the love of neighbor not as merely a commandment imposed on the disciple, but rather as a consequence deriving from their faith which becomes active through love.  This heart sees where love is needed and acts accordingly.

Lastly, Christian charity must not leave God and Christ out of the equation because it is concerned for the whole person.  Love finds its perfect expression in God. Families should therefore naturally share their faith; with the help of grace, they will know when they should converse about the faith and when they should silently share the faith through loving actions.

Pope Francis notes that “God has given the family the job of ‘domesticating, the world and helping each person see fellow human beings as brothers and sisters….  By their witness as well as their words, families speak to others of Jesus. They pass on the faith, they arouse a desire for God and they reflect the beauty of the Gospel and its way of life….” (Amoris Laetitia)

This month I encourage all the families in the parish to reflect on how do you live out charity in your family towards others?  Help each other see how charity also enriches your family life and expand its fruitfulness. Finally, how can your family learn to know God better through love in your own family and love toward those you don’t know?