Faith in Action: Charity in the Family

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Charity within the Family

We have about 1.5 weeks until the conclusion of Lent. The Covid-19 situation definitely gave every person additional opportunities for self-denial and penance. Among the fasts and prayers, we still have opportunities for almsgiving. In the home, children are first taught charity. Either by sharing or doing something kind for a sibling, each child begins to practice loving others through service. The Church in her rich tradition teaches us the corporeal and spiritual works of mercy.

Though quarantine might have us cooped up inside, we can still practice social distancing and give alms through our time, treasure, and talent, serving the community as a family.

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Feed the Hungry and Give Drink to the Thirsty: Are there any members in the community that are shut in because they are high risk? Can you order or purchase groceries for them and deliver them on their doorstep?

Caring for the Sick: Consider spiritual adoption of patients dying alone with the coronavirus. Write letters and cards for those who might be facing the illness alone. Are there any health care professionals in your family and/or neighborhood that you can support and encourage?

Comfort the Sorrowful: Is there anyone you know who is sick and lonely that could benefit from a phone call? Maybe a grandparent who is alone at home?

Prayers for Dead: Pray a Divine Mercy chaplet for those dying and those who have died this day, that they may see the face of God in heaven.

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For Middle and High School Students and Parents to Reflect:

Here are some Bible verse reflection passages for the parent to meditate on with their kids. The central theme of these verses is that charity is not something that we boast about or do because we want to feel like better people. We do it because of our love for Jesus. If we truly love Jesus, then we just become naturally charitable. The main reason this lesson is important for kids today is because internet culture offers a lot of "opportunities" to do false charity. Things like: "Share this Facebook post to save the rain forest" Real charity requires some sort of action. Real charity is not done primarily for the whole world to see. Real charity has love as its primary motivator. Real charity makes us think about people other than ourselves. When we wear bracelets, when we make social media posts that are moral posturing and preaching, are we doing it to glorify ourselves, or God? I'm not saying you should never post moral issues on social media. Just be mindful of who you are glorifying. the answer to that question depends on you.

Matthew 6: 2  

“When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.”

  • We do not do charity for ourselves, but because it is right. 

  • We do not help the poor for our own glory, but for God’s. Do not care what others are doing or thinking except to want for their salvation.

Matthew 26: 11  

“The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” 

  • Our duty is not to end poverty, just to help fellow man and love God.

Matthew 25: 40  

“Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

  • ·If we truly love God, how could we possibly ignore those in need. 

1 Corinthians 13: 3 

"And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing."

  • This further emphasizes the idea we don't do charity to necessarily make ourselves feel good. Rather, feeling good about oneself should just be a byproduct for living according to Gods plan for you.

  • God does not care if charity is "done". He cares about our heart when we do it. So we could theoretically solve world peace, end hunger, and end sickness, but if we don't do it for the love and glory of God, it matters little for you.

  • This is why supporting capitalism or supporting socialism does not make a difference to your salvation. Both of these purport to solve hunger/disease/injustice in some way. But merely supporting the more prudent ideology is not charity, even if it turns out that your ideology actually fulfills what is claims to do. You still need to actually do charity with love in your heart. Supporting the ideal system is secondary. If you can't fix yourself first, what business do you have trying to save the world?