Charity is not merely almsgiving, but loving-kindness in general. It brightens the gloom of life, and sweetens its cares. It is a blessing to those who feel and exercise it, and a blessing to those to whom it is shown. It makes those happy who are the objects of it, and thrice happy does it make those who by means of it render others happy. It is the bond of perfectness, according to St. Paul; (Col. iii. 14) and again he speaks of it as greater than hope, greater even than faith. For it makes men like unto God, and so qualifies them for admission to His presence, and for communion with Himself for evermore. As selfishness is the root of all sin, so charity is the crown of all goodness.
We all value most highly that which is more especially characteristic of ourselves. A strong man is apt to set a high value on strength. A clever man is likely to value especially intellectual ability. Those who are wealthy or of high rank think that these are of the greatest consequence. In like manner, charity is especially pleasing unto God, because God is love.
In the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ it was not the more suffering that was pleasing unto God the Father, but the love stronger than agony and death which those sufferings disclose. When He sees the charity which makes us more and more like unto Himself growing within us, then we too are well-pleasing unto Him in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Whence does this gift of charity come? It is the special grace of the Holy Ghost. It is the first-fruit of His work within us. It must be prayed for, and strengthened by exercise. It must also be tempered by discretion, and exercised wisely. The brightness, the comfort, the happiness, which by means of this “kind good humour” each one, even the youngest, may shed around him cannot be estimated. “Little children, love one another.”
Prayer
O Lord Jean Christ, who halt taught us to love one another, even as we are loved by Thee; grant me, I beseech Thee, this grace of charity, that having lived in love here on earth I may be fitted for Thy kingdom, where love alone endures, there to reign with Thee, world without end. Amen.
From Lent for Busy People © 2017 Fr. Charles H. Nalls
The Cathedral Close 
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