Monday, January 3, 2011

Charity never faileth

I was very grateful that I woke up this morning without a migraine. I am thankful that I felt well enough to go to church. Being able to attend church, really does recharge my spiritual batteries. Some weeks are harder than others, and last week was a tough one for me since I was sick a lot. When I am in pain, it is harder to read, study or pray like I would like to. Pain gets in a way of a lot of things. So today was great, and it felt good to be up and about. One of the teachers talked about Charity and how it blesses the lives of those who give it, and also to those that receive it. Here are a few notes from that lesson...

"I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.

I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.

There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.

Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited. The American educator and politician Horace Mann once said, “To pity distress is but human; to relieve it is godlike.”

In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out.

Charity has been defined as “the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,”the “pure love of Christ … ; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with [her].”  ~ Thomas S. Monson

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”  ~ Mother Teresa

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” Jesus Christ

"Every good act is charity. A man's true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows."   ~Moliere

No comments: