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The Easter Cycle
gives beyond the measure of duty. It looks on all that it has done as nothing. Charity alone can
understand the full significance of that saying of the Word, “So you also, when you shall have
done all these things that are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done
that which we ought to do” (Lk 17:10).
When the Holy Ghost has endowed a soul with charity, He enlarges the heart also, so that
it has room for a larger understanding of those things which are permitted. He implants in the
soul the gift of piety, that is, the desire and the longing to please God and to fulfill His will. “My
meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me” ( Jn 4:34). Such a soul makes no distinction between
the bond and the free, between what is merely permitted and what is perfect. Whenever an
opportunity occurs for nourishing the flame of charity, that opportunity will be embraced by
such a soul with a burning zeal. It no longer asks what its obligation is. It has discovered the
secret; it does all that it can; then it is certain that it has fulfilled its obligation. It loves both the
commandments of God and the will of God. Such a soul is free even though it is bound by
the commandments. It does not live under restraint, it does not sigh under its burden as does
a slave, it never tries to release itself even when it might do so. He who possesses charity says
with the Psalmist: “O Lord my portion, I have said, I would keep Thy law” (Ps 118:57). Such a
soul knows itself to be a child of God, and therefore it tries to do much more than is required
by the commandments, and thus gives pleasure to its Father.
The liturgy implores God for the virtue of charity for all the faithful. Charity is the greatest of
the Christian virtues. It fulfills perfectly the commandments of God. “For this is the charity of
God, that we keep His commandments” (1 Jn 5:3). But charity keeps the commandments, not
because of a fear of punishment, nor because of compulsion, as a slave keeps them, nor because
of a desire for merit; but rather to please Him to whom the Christian subjects himself freely
and joyfully at the time of his baptism.
Charity and the works of charity go hand in hand. Only those are perfect works which are
done out of love. Charity is the soul and the root of all virtue. Works, such as the fulfillment of
the law, are the food, the nourishment, the essential condition for the existence of charity. He
who would fulfill the commandments perfectly must do so out of love. He who would acquire
the virtue of charity must perform works of charity. He who would reach perfection must
endeavor with all his strength to exercise himself incessantly in works of charity.
Prayer
O God, who makest the minds of Thy faithful to be of one will, grant to Thy people to love
that which Thou commandest and to desire that which Thou dost promise; so that amid the
changing things of this world, our hearts may be set where true joys are to be found. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saturday
“Grant to Thy people to love that which Thou commandest and to desire that which Thou
dost promise; so that amid the changing things of this world, our hearts may be set where true
joys are to be found” (Collect). We should long to ascend to heaven and should be absorbed
by the desire for eternity.
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