Pope Francis delved into the theological virtue of charity during his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, emphasizing its divine origin and its pivotal role in Christian life.
Reflecting on St. Paul’s words, “So faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love,” the Pope addressed the ongoing divisions and strife within the Christian community, particularly referencing the early Christians in Corinth.
Highlighting that the virtue of charity stems directly from God, Pope Francis suggested that the Corinthians, embroiled in discord even during the Eucharist, might not have recognized their sins.
He suggested they could have found Paul’s condemnation perplexing, believing themselves to be inherently good and loving people.
The Pope stressed that true charity, however, is a divine gift that transcends ordinary human love.
“Paul is concerned that in Corinth – as among us, too, today – there is confusion and that there is actually no trace of the theological virtue, the one that comes to us only from God,” said the pontiff.
The Pope explained that while humans are capable of various forms of love, such as romantic love, love for friends, and patriotism, there exists a superior form of love that is directed towards God.
This divine love, or charity, enables individuals to love their neighbors as God loves them, even extending this love to those who are difficult to love.
“But there is a greater love,” Pope Francis said, “which comes from God and is directed towards God, and enables us to love God… and to love our neighbor as God does.”
“This is ‘theological’ because it comes from God; it is the work of the Holy Spirit in us,” Pope Francis elaborated.
Citing the Sermon on the Mount, Pope Francis illustrated how Jesus defined love in theological terms, which he equated with charity.
He acknowledged the challenges of practicing this virtue, describing it as nearly impossible without a life anchored in God.
Despite its difficulty, he affirmed that Christian love must extend beyond conventional affections to include the unlovable, offer forgiveness, and bless those who curse.
“It is a difficult virtue to practice, even an impossible one, if one does not live in God,” the Pope stated. “Christian love embraces what is not lovable, it offers forgiveness, blesses those who curse. It is a love so ardent that it seems almost impossible, and yet it is the only thing that will remain of us.”
