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Honey and Vinegar: Living Life with Charity
by Brian
"You can attract more flies with honey than vinegar." (St. Francis de Sales)
Our Christian faith is founded upon charity. Without charity, which according to Our Lord is the greatest commandment, we are left with a superficial religion that is a nosy gong and clanging symbol.
To reach our brothers and sisters who have either fallen away from the practice of their faith or those in other Christian denominations we must be people of charity. Without charity the new evangelization that Pope John Paul II called for will fail.
Charity is the cornerstone of every apostolate. Without it, there is no way to reach others with the message of the Gospel. Our words and/or actions will never reach the minds and hearts of those we are trying to bring to Christ.
Recently Bobbi and I received an e-mail from a young man that was rather uncharitable. The young man had issues about the way in which we honored the Blessed Virgin. He felt that Our Lady was no different from anyone else and viewed us as heretics for the honor we gave her.
My initial reaction to his e-mail was anything but charitable. Then it hit me. I was acting in a manner no different from the young man. I asked Our Lord to forgive me. I then mustered up as much charity as possible and responded with my own e-mail.
One thing I did point out to the young man was the above quote by St. Francis de Sales. There is so much wisdom in this brief anecdote. St. Francis is completely right. Maybe this is one reason why he was so successful in bringing those who left the Catholic faith for Calvinism back to their true spiritual home.
Charity and kindness is attractive. It melts hearts and minds. Christians must walk this path if they are serious about leading others to Christ. Without charity, people will never recognize who we are called to be - children of God.
If you are like me, and find yourself lacking charity, then go to your Mother. Our Lady will send you her Spouse, the Holy Spirit. He will descend upon you and fill your heart with charity and kindness.
God bless.