And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13
“Charity makes the heart expansive and generous, not double or narrow. The soul who is pierced by this tender arrow does not show one thing with her face and tongue when she has another in her heart. Nor does she serve or behave deceitfully or ambitiously with regard to her neighbors, because charity is open with everyone. Therefore the soul who possesses charity never falls into pain or distressing sadness, nor does she argue with obedience; no, she is obedient even to the point of death.”
Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) in The Dialogue, translation and introduction by Suzanne Noffke (Classics of Western Spirituality; Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1980) 347.
As I explore the writings of the saints through the Middle Ages and their insights linked to generosity while in the midst of my own experience of back pain, I find consistent, comforting counsel.
Think about it. The reason the Apostle Paul would celebrate faith, hope, and charity is that we find ourselves in a broken world filled with pain, so it is our faith and hope that aid our perseverance.
Greater than faith and hope, however, is charity, often translated as love. I prefer the word charity, because the Greek word, agape, does not refer to brotherly or sensual love, but rather divine love that only comes from God.
Catherine’s world was filled with pain and distressing sadness. Caterina di Giacomo di Benincasa was born in Siena after it had been devastated by the Black Death. Her sister died in childbearing. She spent most of her short life preaching the gospel and calling for peace in turmoil filled times.
What’s this have to do with generosity?
In a world filled with pain or distressing sadness, like the world of the Apostle Paul, the context of Catherine of Siena and our modern settings today, charity is the greatest thing anyone can possess because it can transform hearts, starting with our own, and it can penetrate the hearts of those with whom we share it, regardless of their pain and sadness. In so doing, it shapes both their earthly lives and their eternal destiny.
If having charity is the greatest thing we can possess, then sharing charity is our greatest act of generosity.