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This week’s topic is the virtue of charity, agape, caritas.

When you hear the word “charity” you may think of your favorite non-profit that helps those less fortunate in your neighborhood. But, what we are reflecting on today is the virtue of charity. The English word charity comes from the latin caritas. Caritas was translated from the Greek word agape which is the word for the highest form of love. It literally means to love God and others for the sake of God. In John 15:13 Jesus describes agape love to us: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” He then goes on to personify this type of love by being crucified and dying for the forgiveness of our sins so that we may gain eternal life.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that Jesus makes charity the new commandment. By loving his own "to the end," he makes manifest the Father's love which he receives. By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus which they themselves receive. This is shown when Jesus says: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love." And again: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” THIS is charity!

The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and mercy; Love or Charity is itself the fulfillment of all our works. There is the goal; that is why we run: we run toward it, and once we reach it, in it we shall find rest. (CCC 1822-1829)

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Thank you and may God bless you!