Thought for the Day – 6 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Almsgiving
“Even if it is not very great, wealth is a dangerous thing.
It is a burden which hampers us spiritually, unless it is enriched by charity.
Of itself, wealth is opposed to the spirit of the Gospel.
In the Church of God, therefore, the only fitting role which rich men can assume, is to place their abundance at the service of charity and become the servants of the poor.
St Thomas Aquinas says that wealth can be an instrument of virtue and that, it is only in this sense that it can be called good.
If it impedes the practice of virtue, then it is evil (Summa Contra Gentiles, 111:134).
Let us make good use of our assets, therefore and give generously to those who are in need, without allowing our motives to become tainted with self-interest.
“Sell what you have and give alms,” said Christ, “Make for ourselves purses that do not grow old, a treasure unfailing in Heaven, where neither thief draws near nor moth destroys” (Lk 12:33).
It is the possession of this kind of treasure, which will comfort us at the hour of death.”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/13/thought-for-the-day-13-august-almsgiving/
AnaStpaul 