I love you above all things and know your ways to be true and wise. You have said that we are the ‘apple of your eye’, your ‘face will shine upon us and your peace dwell within us’. I dedicate myself to you. I know I can do all things through Christ and that I am surrounded by God’s favor. I pray for the grace of an open heart to hear your voice, discern your call, and love my fellow man.

The act of charity in God’s divine providence has two purposes. First, it encapsulates our purpose in life. We are made in God’s image and likeness. We are placed on this earth to seek God’s will, to serve Him and praise Him. Charity is “the virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God” (CC 1822). Nothing is as important as the love of God.

God reminds us of his love and to love others.

Secondly, this act of charity in God’s providence allows us to let go of the anxieties and distractions that keep us pre-occupied and feeling hopeless. Why? Because we know God loves us so much that His infinite wisdom will lead us to where we are going. In this act of self-giving we profess our humble disposition to love God and all His works in our life. In a very humble way, it is taking a deep breath and saying, “this is where God wants me. Lead me Lord, I’m listening.”

When we loosen our grip on anxieties and worries we are able to step outside of ourselves and notice the world around us. We admit that “this song is not all about me.”

Charity is an act that calls us to attentiveness. Since we have placed our faith and hope in God it is only natural that we be attentive to where God may be leading us to accomplish His will. It opens our heart to service. We find ways to bring Christ to those around us; to  alleviate pain, doubt, or suffering of our neighbor. Over time it will nurture peace and joy in our hearts.

St. Augustine so beautifully describes it, “Love 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.”

To conclude, “Charity does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Charity bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor 13:4-7).

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