Supernatural Charity

Charity (Part 1)

True Charity is Supernatural

In his opening remarks, Fr. Michael talked about the difference between "Natural" Charity and "Supernatural" Charity.  Natural Charity is what most of us are accustomed to; being "nice" to others, lending a helping hand when we can.  Supernatural Charity is Charity infused with, and directed to, the Holy Spirit.  This higher level of Charity knows no bounds, no limits, and no restrictions on who it is directed to-- friends and enemies alike.  Self-giving like this is not simply an act of will from within, using the "white knuckle" method. It is an overflow of the love that wells up within our soul when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with Divine Love.  This is the so-called "Holy Spirit" method of Charity that loves with a deep joy in our heart and fulfills us in a way that simple "natural" Charity cannot.

Supernatural Charity has unlimited ripple effects

Several of our icebreaker responses observed that a simple act of Divine Charity rarely ends there; it is so unexpected and "unnatural " that it ends up influencing others to perform like acts.  This influence extends beyond simply the person towards whom our charitable act was directed, but also to others who observe our actions, and then repeat them.  In this way, Charity ripples out into the world, and transforms it.  Rembrandt reflected on this in his Good Samaritan painting, with all the peripheral characters who witness the Good Samaritan's extraordinary kindness and, presumably, repeat it in their own way.

We may not be able to do great things. But we can do small things with great Love (St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta) 

Supernatural Charity often starts with a very small act, which may seem even tiny compared to some fantastically large natural work, such as donating the funds to build a hospital. But it's often the little acts of love that most influence others, such as in the film "A Wonderful LIfe."  One of us told the story of the time he gave his waiter a tip large enough to pay his next month's rent; when he did, the waiter asked if he could share it with his co-workers who were also struggling to pay their rent.  Love begets Love.

Supernatural Charity not only transforms those to whom it is directed.  It transforms the giver

One of the remarkable aspects of Supernatural Charity is that as we perform it, we ourselves are transformed as our hearts fill not with resentment,  but Love.  And the more of these little acts we do, the more our heart becomes habituated to loving yet more.  Loving like God, or rather letting God love through us, gradually converts our soul to Love itself.  And when that happens, we are ready finally to enter the place where pure Love reigns, Heaven.

Love is the Big Picture

Seen in the context of heaven, Love becomes the Big Picture.  Campagnola's version of the Good Samaritan story helped us see this.  The Samaritan's act of love is off in just one corner of the immense landscape, even swallowed up by it.  But as he heroically hoists the near-dead Jew to his horse, the entire landscape lights up, filled with Love.

Resolution:  Surprisingly, both the men and the ladies arrived at the identically same resolution:  To seek each day this Lent to "practice" Supernatural Love with one small act of self-giving that we find each day.  Then that night examine our conscience with this question:  "What more could I have done today to Love?"