In Principio

‘OF WORKS DONE IN CHARITY’ - ‘Thomas A Kempis; 1872; Book I; Chapter 15; page 25

[Thomas a Kempis – XIV-XV Century AD; Kempen, Holy Roman Empire/Zwolle, Holy Roman Empire; aged 90-91; Canon, Regular]

15. OF WORKS DONE IN CHARITY.
FOR nothing in the world, nor for the love of any creature, is evil to be done, but sometimes for the need and comfort of our neighbour a good deed may be deferred, or be turned into another good deed, for thereby it is not destroyed, but is changed into better. Without charity the outward deed is little to be praised: but whatsoever is done of charity, be it never so little, or never so despicable in sight of the world, it is right profitable before God, Who judgeth all things after the intent of the doer, and not after the greatness or worthiness of the deed.

He doth much that much loveth God, and he doth much that doeth his deed well, and he doeth his deed well, that doth it rather for the commonalty than for his own will. A deed sometimes seemeth to be done of charity and love of God, when it is rather done of carnality, and of a fleshly love, than of a charitable love: for commonly some carnal inclination to our friends, or some inordinate love to ourself, or some hope of a temporal reward, or the desire of some other profit, moveth us to do the deed, and not the pure love of charity.

Charity seeketh not himself in that he doth, but he de- sireth to do only that which shall be honour and praising to God. He envieth no man, for he loveth no private love, neither will he joy in himself, but he coveteth above all things to be blessed in God. He knoweth well that no goodness beginneth originally of man, and therefore he referreth all goodness to God, of whom all things proceed, and in whom all blessed Saints do rest in everlasting fruition.

Oh, he that had but a little sparkle of this perfect charity, should feel soothfastly in his soul that all earthly things be full of vanity!

Image: Benozzo_di_Lese_di_Sandro_Gozzoli_-_Virgin_and_Child_with_Angels_c1460_(gold_leaf_and_tempera_on_wood_panel)


Music: Caritas Abundat - Hildegard Von Bingen

‘Caritas abundat’ = ‘Charity abounds’

youtube.com/watch?v=X8u15Q99HUU
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In Principio shares this

"A deed sometimes seemeth to be done of charity and love of God, when it is rather done of carnality, and of a fleshly love, than of a charitable love: for commonly some carnal inclination to our friends, or some inordinate love to ourself, or some hope of a temporal reward, or the desire of some other profit, moveth us to do the deed, and not the pure love of charity."

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In Principio

"Charity seeketh not himself in that he doth, but he desireth to do only that which shall be honour and praising to God. He envieth no man, for he loveth no private love, neither will he joy in himself, but he coveteth above all things to be blessed in God. He knoweth well that no goodness beginneth originally of man, and therefore he referreth all goodness to God, of whom all things proceed, and in whom all blessed Saints do rest in everlasting fruition."

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