Christian Charity

It is in a Christian context that the term and the idea of " charité" appeared; it was unknown pagan religion gréco-Roman. The other monotheisms (Judaism, Islam), with their ethical dimension, also know forms of Charité: the Hebraic Charity and the Islamic Charity.

" Charité" can be taken at least in a double direction:

theological virtue, divine love - specific to Christianity,
gift, alms, benevolence - general, common direction with other religions.

Charity, theological virtue

Charity is the theological virtue by which one loves God over any thing for Itself, and its next like oneself for the love of god.

Saint Paul gave a famous table of charity: " Without charity, I am nothing… ". And all that is privilege, service, virtue even… " without charity, that does not serve to me as nothing. Charity takes patience, charity renders service, it jealous step, it plastronne not, it does not swell pride, it does not do anything ugly, it does not seek its interest, it is not irritated, it does not maintain resentment, it is not delighted by the injustice, but it finds its joy in the truth. She excuses all, she believes all, she hopes for all, she endures tout" (I Co 13,1-7). ".

Charity is thus higher than all the virtues. She is the first of the theological virtues: " The three remain: faith, the hope and charity. But charity is more grande" (I Co 13,13). The exercise of all the virtues is animated and inspired by charity. This one is the " bond of the perfection" (Collar 3,14); it is the form of the virtues, which articulates them and orders them between them; it is source and term of their Christian practice. Charity ensures and purifies the human power to like and raises it to supernatural perfection of the divine love.

Fruit of the Spirit and plenitude of the law, charity keeps the commands of God and his Christ: " Remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my amour". Jesus makes charity the new command: " Here my command: You like the ones the others as I have you aimés" (Jn 15,12).

Charity, benevolence

The direction d'" work of bienfaisance" is derived from the precedent. It is about the practical application of the virtue of charity in favor of most vulnerable.

Saint Vincent of Paul is called l'" Apostle of Charité".

Charity is the name given to certain hospitals or religious old people's homes rested and sometimes managed by the Church.

(Article under development, do not hesitate to supplement)

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