February 14
Almsgiving
here is no more
profitable practice as a companion to holy and spiritual fasting than that
of almsgiving. This embraces under the single name of mercy many excellent
works of devotion, so that the good intentions of all believers may be
of equal value even when their means are not. Nothing can ever so obstruct
the love we owe both God and other people as to prevent our having a good
intention. The angels sang: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to
his people on earth. The person who shows love and compassion to those
in any kind of affliction is blessed not only with the virtue of charity
but also with the gift of peace.
The works of mercy are innumerable. Their very variety brings this advantage
to those who are true Christians, that in the matter of almsgiving not
only the rich and affluent but also those of average means and the poor
are able to play their part. Those who are unequal in their capacity to
give can be equal in the love within their hearts.
From John E. Rotelle, O.S.A., Tradition Day by Day: Readings from
Church Writers. Augustinian Press. Villanova, PA, 1994.
HTML text prepared by David P. Steelman
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