Day 244: The Virtue of Charity

Fruit of the Spirit and fullness of the Law, charity keeps the commandments of God and his Christ: "Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love." CCC 1824

In today's reading, the Catechism covers the last of the three theological virtues: charity. In modern English, the word "charity" has taken on a bit more specific meaning: "generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering" (Merriam-Webster). The word itself, however, is derived from the Greek agape, meaning love. In Greek, love has different forms, with agape being "the highest form of love" (Britannica), or in the context of this part of the Catechism, loving God above all and loving neighbor for God’s sake (CCC 1822). The reason "charity" is still used in theological terms is that it comes from caritas in the Latin Vulgate.

The Catechism Compendium summarizes what charity means in this section:

Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Jesus makes charity the new commandment, the fullness of the law. “It is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:14) and the foundation of the other virtues to which it gives life, inspiration, and order. Without charity, “I am nothing” and “I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). (#388)

While it comes as the third of the theological virtues in the arrangement of the Catechism, it is actually the first and is "superior to all the virtues" (CCC 1826). This is just like what St. Paul says in 1 Cor 13:13: "So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

The Catechism Companion, Vol II has much good commentary on this:

Jesus tells us that the greatest of the Commandments is love. Love is the fulfillment of the Commandments... Jesus also makes a very clear connection between obeying the Commandments of God and loving God. If we want to have a personal relationship with God, we must strive to obey what he has said in the Commandments; it is not optional. Love is not just in the heart but must be translated into action. The virtue of charity has to be effective, not just affective. An effective love is love that moves and acts. When we are filled by love, trying to turn away from evil and live a moral life makes us free. We do not approach God like a slave or like someone who just wants payment. (p. 252)

And with that, I have finished with the Catechism Companion, Vol II. I highly recommend it as one great resource for those wishing to get more out of a study of the Catechism. Starting tomorrow, I begin using the Catechism Companion, Vol III the rest of the way to Day 365!