Charity is the greatest theological virtue, embodying love for God and our neighbors. Fr. Mike discusses loving our enemies and obeying God’s commandments, highlighting that true charity is not motivated by fear or reward but by love. The powerful contrast between servitude and sonship is explored, showing how understanding the Father’s love transforms our relationships. Through engaging stories and reflections, the podcast emphasizes actionable love and the freedom it brings in Christian life.
Charity is the greatest theological virtue, requiring active love for God and our neighbors, including loving our enemies.
True charity is demonstrated through obedience to God's commandments, reflecting a genuine, loving relationship with Him rather than fear.
Deep dives
Understanding Charity as a Theological Virtue
Charity is defined as the theological virtue by which individuals love God above all things for His own sake, and love their neighbors as themselves out of love for God. This love is not merely an emotion but requires action and commitment, embodying the essence of God's love as exemplified by Jesus, who commands His followers to love one another as He has loved them. The podcast emphasizes that true charity encompasses a responsibility to actively care for others, thereby fulfilling the new commandment set forth by Christ. Without this active love, one's spiritual life lacks authenticity and depth, as faith and hope must be intertwined with the virtue of charity to attain fullness in Christian life.
The Connection Between Love and Commandments
The podcast highlights the integral link between loving God and obeying His commandments, illustrating that true love is expressed through compliance with His teachings. Jesus Himself affirmed this connection by stating that if one truly loves Him, they will keep His commandments, indicating that love transcends mere affection and must manifest in concrete actions. The reflection on this theme stresses that loving one's neighbor becomes a tangible expression of love for God, and care for those around us serves as evidence of our faith. This active engagement in love is essential for deepening one’s relationship with God, fostering a vibrant spiritual life.
The Role of Grace in Loving Others
A significant challenge discussed is the call to love even one’s enemies, which can only be achieved through divine grace and strength. This notion is encapsulated in the assertion that without charity, individuals are nothing, regardless of their accomplishments or virtues. The podcast encourages listeners to strive toward this high standard of love while acknowledging human imperfection, emphasizing that the pursuit of love is an essential, ongoing effort. Recognizing this journey allows individuals to cultivate a relationship with God, not from a place of fear or mere obligation, but as cherished children motivated by love.
The greatest of all the theological virtues is charity. Fr. Mike explains that charity, or love, is to love God above all things for his own sake and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This includes loving our enemies and also obeying God's commandments, two actions that are not always easy. Most importantly, today's readings remind us that true charity is not loving the Father as servants in fear or as mercenaries looking for a reward but rather as his beloved children responding to him who "first loved us." Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1822-1829.
This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy
Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode