Bits of the Gospel

I begin by telling a story. Elie Wiesel in Night describes a scene at Auschwitz, when a boy was hanged with two adults. As the elders died, the boy was still alive for a long time. Someone asked: “Where is God now?” An answer shot back: “Here He is; He is hanging on these gallows.” The presence of God in the world is revealed no less by the brilliance of a mind than by the presence of man crucified. We of the Cottolengo family are very lucky. We see Christ present everywhere, everyday. We have been taught by our founder: “The poor are Jesus, to serve them we must be on our knees”. St Vincent de Paul, the man behind the inspiration to cottolengo’s foundation taught: “You have to honour Jesus present in the person of the poor who are His members.” Now, we ask ourselves, “Why did these saints of Charity take so strongly the Words of Jesus in the Last Judgment Account of Matthew?” Let us read this passage together [Isaiah 61:1-3]: “The Spirit of the

Caritas! Charity. Charity costs, not because someone asked, that exalts you! If you give out materials, you have room for more. if Charity is based on philanthropy, it does not cost either, because you do it to a fellow person. it does cost yes, not because you do it willingly and readily! It really costs not because you are obliged, with a sense of duty. Charity costs for other reasons. Charity costs because it demands, demands self-giving. By the way, selflessness is a rare virtue. Many people tend to give something, never themselves. I might have a point in here, Reflect!