Mon 3rd Week of Lent Homily

Today we celebrate this memorial of Saint Casimir who embodies the concept of charity based upon truth. Despite being of royal descent he was moved to not follow after riches, but simplicity. He had a true concern to bring service into the lives of the poor and truly embodied the concept of charity. His charity was not moved through giving service to himself, but was moved by the charitable love that is found inside the Trinity that we are all called towards.

This Monday evening our focus turns to the final encyclical letter of Pope Benedict XVI. This final encyclical letter is entitled: "Caritas in Veritate" "Charity in Truth" and is the only encyclical of Pope Benedict to be concerned with social justice issues. As Christians we are called to serve the common good and therefore we must be moved by love in doing so. We must guard ourselves from allowing this love to become a mere empty shell and therefore must remain grounded in truth. When charity is linked to truth we are not serving our own personal interests or the pursuit for power, but are instead giving service to the common good.

He continues the discussion from Pope Paul VI's encyclical letter concerning poverty. Poverty displays the lack of will that people have concerning the brotherhood among individuals and people. For all those who have a concern to assist the needs of others must be grounded in their own vocation. This calling is rooted in scripture and from the life of Christ. It is the fraternity that is found inside of the Holy Trinity that sends us forth to work in charity. In our current age we see the many effects of globalism which have both positive and negative effects. With the rise of globalism many poverty stricken nations have been able to emerge from their poverty. Globalism on the other hand has created many new problems because of a lack of people who are grounded in charity and truth. The pursuit of profit is a means to do good instead of being caught up in our own power and wealth as an end. In order to discover the answer to the many issues that we face we must be balanced in an understanding of love and the desire for knowledge.

The rights that we have should be connected to our duty. If our only focus is upon our own rights we will remain stuck in the concept that we owe nothing to anyone, but ourselves. Governments must not only maximize profits, but must look after the common good. We as individuals are also called to work in communion with each other. We should avoid falling into isolation and through charity should be drawn towards solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we are truly aware of the love that exists in God we are moved with courage to continue to seek and work towards the benefit of all no matter what difficulties that we may face.

May all of us allow ourselves to be modeled after this concept of charity, so that we can truly be liberated from our isolation from others and instead be drawn towards giving of ourselves based upon the love that is found inside of the Trinity. In our Gospel Christ came to these people, but they would reject him due to their own wants and desires. Through charity we are called to accept Christ into our lives and thus bestow charity onto those who are in need.