A 13th Sunday after Pentecost: Extraordinary Examples of Charity
Let's turn on this 13th Sunday after Pentecost to some extraordinary examples of charity. Let's begin with the understanding that we are all called to charity - charity above all. Charity is love, in its fullest sense. We ought not be distracted by our imaginative versions of romantic love in this. Such can cause us to lose sight of the real essence of love, which lies firmly embedded in sacrifice. To know this, all we have to do is think of Our Lord Jesus Christ Passion - the ultimate example of love. This is our highest "gold standard" for love. It is, in a sense True Love. With this, we turn to our examples, beginning with some deep thoughts about the singular, fundamental importance of love from St. John of the Cross. God is Love. St. John helps us know how we can return this love with true love. “It is of the highest importance that the soul should be well exercised in love, so that, being rapidly consumed, she will tarry but a short time here below and quickl...