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REFLECTIONS |
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Charity as the First and Form of all Virtues
Charity is called the "form" of all the virtues because the practice of all the virtues is "animated and inspired by charity" (CCC 1827). None of the virtues exist for their own end. Rather, they are revealed through charity solely to facilitate the practice of love of God (and love of neighbor because of a love for God). The other virtues are ordered by charity, which is both their source and goal, binding them all together in perfect harmony (Col 3:14).
Of all the virtues, charity must be given primary place, as from it comes all good things, and without it the other virtues are not rightly called virtues at all. Charity rules over all means of attaining holiness and gives life to these same means. It is the virtue that unites us most intimately with God.
All virtues have their place in bringing us to God. It is through charity that these virtues are placed in their proper perspective. Charity inspires our desire for the other virtues as a means of obtaining greater charity. Charity directs the other virtues, illuminating how they might bring us to a greater love for God. Charity strengthens us in the use of other virtues, both in steeling us against our disordered inclination against virtuous behavior and in moving the will toward the supreme goodness that is God.
All of the virtues are gifts from God aimed at the perfection of Christian life. Each of these gifts are designed to help man obtain eternal beatitude. Charity, on the other hand, is beatitude. as stated by St. Augustine, "love is so much the gift of God that it is called God."
+JITIY+
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Archived Reflections
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