By Leon Bent –
Catholic spiritual teaching includes spreading the Gospel, while Catholic social teaching, emphasises support for the sick, the poor and the afflicted, through Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The Catholic Church is the largest non-governmental provider of education and medical services in the world.
Catholic Charities fulfil the Church’s role in the mission of charity to anyone in need, by providing compassionate, competent and professional services that, strengthen and support individuals, families and communities, based on the value. and dignity of human life. A five-year study released last year estimated that “tithers”—Christians who donate 10% or more of their income to the Church or charity—contribute more than $50 billion a year.
On December 17, 2012, the UN designated September 5, as the International Day of Charity, which was first celebrated in 2013, in honour of the death of Mother Teresa, on September 5th 1997, at the age of 87. The renowned missionary nun, in 1928, devoted herself to wipe the tears and bring smiles, to the faces of the totally marginalized. In 1948, she founded the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, in Kolkota (Calcutta) in 1950, which became noted for its work among the poorest of the poor, and the destitute and dying, on the streets and abandoned in the filth and stench of gutters, attacked by hundreds of maggots, in this city, and around a hundred countries, globally.
Every year, charities all over the world help to save and improve people’s lives, fighting disease, protecting children, and giving hope to many thousands of people. Charity can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care, education, housing and child protection. It assists the advancement of culture, science, sports, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage. It also promotes the rights of the underprivileged, and spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations.
The International Day of Charity was established with the objective of sensitizing and mobilizing people, NGOs, and stakeholders, worldwide, to help those in distress, through volunteering and philanthropic activities. Media publicity about the day is promoted via social networks, online news, radio and television. Printed material is also published to publicize its observance.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth in the Agenda, can be grouped into six critical areas: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. They have the potential to transform our lives and our planet by providing the framework needed for philanthropic institutions to enable all people to contribute to the betterment of our world.
International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity.
In the Encyclical Letter, Caritas in Veritate, 29 June, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI urges us: “Development needs Christians with their arms raised towards God in prayer. Christians moved by the knowledge that truth-filled love, from which authentic development proceeds, is not produced by us, but given to us. For this reason, even in the most difficult and complex times, besides recognizing what is happening, we must above all else turn to God’s love. Development requires attention to the spiritual life, a serious consideration of the experiences of trust in God, spiritual fellowship in Christ, reliance upon God’s providence and mercy, love and forgiveness, self-denial, acceptance of others, justice and peace. All this is essential if “hearts of stone” are to be transformed into “hearts of flesh” (Ezek 36:26), rendering life on earth “divine” and thus more worthy of humanity” (n.79).
The power of charity: As the world has been turned upside down by civil violence, religious conflict, natural disasters, government corruption and numerous power struggles, we must turn to simple acts of kindness to make a difference in our communities. The International Day of Charity is a time for everyone to step up and do one’s part to make a positive impact on the world.
“On this international Day, I call on people everywhere to volunteer and act charitably, in the face of human suffering. Such expressions of solidarity help us in our shared quest to live together in harmony, and build a peaceful and sustainable future for all,”asserts, Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, 2015.
Now, this gold nugget! The Encyclical Letter, Caritas in Veritate states, “Charity in truth, to which Jesus Christ bore witness by his earthly life, and especially by his death and resurrection, is the principal driving force behind the authentic development of every person, and of all humanity. Love —caritas — is an extraordinary force, which leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace. It is a force that has its origin in God, Eternal Love and Absolute Truth!” In Christ, charity in truth becomes the Face of his Person, a vocation for us to love our brothers and sisters in the truth of his plan. Indeed, he himself is the Truth (n. 1; also cf. Jn. 14:6).
The punch line: “Charity is at the heart of the Church’s social doctrine” (Caritas in Veritate, n.1).
And this final flourish! Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s Encyclical Letter, “God is Love”, Deus Caritas Est, states: “Everything has its origin in God’s love, everything is shaped by it; everything is directed towards it. Love is God’s greatest gift to humanity! It is His promise and our hope.”
Leon Bent is an ex-Seminarian and studied the Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Philosophy, from St. Pius X College, Mumbai. He holds Masters Degree in English Literature and Aesthetics. He has published three Books and have 20 on the anvil. He has two extensively “Researched” Volumes to his name: Hail Full of Grace and Matrimony: The Thousand Faces of Love. He won The Examiner, Silver Pen Award, 2000 for writing on Social Issues, the clincher being a Researched Article on Gypsies in India, published in an issue of the (worldwide circulation) Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, New Delhi. On April, 28, 2018, Leon received the Cardinal Ivan Dias Award for a research paper in Mariology.