Quote of the day, 4 January: St. Kuriakos Elias Chavara
There was a man who considered it obligatory on himself and rendered somebody some good work every day. He did this believing that God had commanded men to help each other.
One day, while at supper, he remembered the omission of the charitable deed for that day. Suddenly he rose up, went out, did a neighbour an act of charity and then only took his supper.
Extravagance and miserliness are both sinful. The luxuries of the extravagant will disappear like smoke. The wealth of the miser will be devoured by worms.
Once there was a man who lived generously according to his means. He prospered well. As he grew richer, he neglected charity and started amassing wealth.
Then he was laid up with an ulcer on his leg. Several physicians were brought in. Much expenditure incurred on this account.
Then an angel appeared to him and told him, “Know ye that the miser who stints in charity and hoards will have to spend money like this.”
Saint Kuriakos Elias Chavara
Testament of a Loving Father, 14–15, “Act of Charity”
Chavara, K, Pathaplackal, T 2014, Testament of a Loving Father, translated from Malayalam by Calzolari, E, Chavara Central Secretariat, Chavara Hills, Kochi.
Featured image: South African photographer Lyndon Stratford captures this image of charity, prayer, empathy, and reconciliation. Image credit: Stratford/peopleimages.com / Adobe Stock (Stock photo)
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