which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But when I became a man I put away the things of a child. We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known. And now there remain, faith, hope, charity: these three, but the greatest of these is charity.
Explanation.
St. Paul here teaches the Romans, and us in them, the necessity, the qualities, and the advantages of charity:
The necessity because all natural and supernatural gifts all good works, virtues, and sacrifices even martyrdom itself cannot save us if we have no charity. By charity only are we and our works pleasing to God.
The qualities of charity which are good-will without envy, suspicion, perversity, or malice; pure intention without self- love, ambition, immodesty, or injustice; untiring patience without hastiness; and, finally, humble submission to God, Who is all to him that possesses charity.
The advantages of charity in that it gives to good works their value, and that it never fails; for while all things else cease while faith passes into seeing, hope into possession, knowledge in part into knowledge of the whole charity is ever lasting, and therefore the greatest of the three. Faith," says St. Augustine, " lays the foundation of the house of God; hope builds up the walls; charity covers and completes it."
Aspiration.
O God of love, pour into my heart the spirit of charity, that, according to the spirit of St. Paul, I may always endeavor to be in the state of grace, that so all my works may be pleasing to Thee, and of merit to me. Amen.
GOSPEL. Luke xviii. 31-43.
At that time: Jesus took unto Him the twelve, and said to them: Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man; for He shall be delivered to the gentiles, and shall be mocked, and scourged, and spit upon: and after they
