"Take heed not to practice your good before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you shall have no reward with your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 6:11). The widow's mite had more value in the eyes of God than the gold that the rich poured ostentatiously into the Temple's coffers. Everything done for the service of our neighbor may be considered almsgiving. Everything spent in good works is lent to God, Who will return it with interest. "Come, blessed of My Father…Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it for one of these, the least of My brethren, you did it for Me…As long as you did not do it for one of these least ones, you did not do it for Me" (Matthew 25:34, 40, 43).

    Every one is obliged to perform the works of mercy, according to his own ability and the need of his neighbor. By the works of mercy we put into practice the commandments of God completely, not merely avoiding sin, but doing good to others. Our obligation of good works varies with our condition in life and our vocation as also with the degree of need of our neighbor. The obligation of a millionaire for the poor of his city is not the same as that of a wage-earner; neither is the duty of a bishop for good works the same as that of a layman.

    It is a most serious obligation to give alms to the needy according to one's means. If material or corporal alms or works of mercy are not within our means, we can always give spiritual alms: prayers, etc. "Every tree therefore that is not bringing forth good fruit is to be cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matthew 3:10). "Faith without works is useless" (James 2:20).

    One who does no works of mercy fails to comply with the precept of love of neighbor. As Saint Ambrose said to the stingy rich of his time: "The walls of your dwellings are hung with the magnificent tapestry, while you strip the clothes off the poor man's back. A beggar is at your door pleading for a small alms; you do not even glance at him as you debate within yourself what kind of marble to use for the pavements of your palaces. The diamond you wear on your finger is sufficient to feel a multitude!"

    He who performs the works of mercy in order to obtain the praise of others does not practice virtue, for his intention is not of God. Even poor people can do works of mercy, because what counts before God is not the amount we give, but the good will with which we give what we can afford. "If I distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, yet do not have charity, it profits me nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:3). This 'charity' Saint Paul speaks of is nothing but the pure love of God and neighbor: it excludes all vanity.

    In doing the works of mercy, we should not be moved by the hope that we shall receive an earthly reward. Hence we should do good preferably to those who cannot repay us: "When thou givest a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; and blessed shalt thou be, because they have nothing to repay thee with: for thou shalt be repaid at the resurrection" (Luke 14:13).

    "When thou givest alms, do not let thy left hand know what thy right hand is doing, so that thy alms may be given in secret, and thy Father, who sees in secret, will reward thee" (Matthew 6:3-4). This does not mean, however, that we should always keep our good works in secret, for Our Lord Himself advised "So let your light shine before men in order that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16). If what we do will give good example, we should let it be known, but always with true modesty.

Next Issue: Obligation of Good Works part two

July 31-August 1, 2000
volume 11, no. 128
APPRECIATION OF THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH series

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