On the Third Day of Christmas: Faith, Hope and Charity
These are the three theological virtues, but something seems odd
I hope you are enjoying the Christmas Octave. I have had a break from work and have limited my screen time since Christmas—and will continue to do so, outside of work, through January 5th. I can feel my mind slowing down, which has been sorely needed.
As I write this on Saturday, it is the third day of Christmas (out of the twelve days, according to the song, as I wrote last week). This day represents the three theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity. While reading the Catechism today on these virtues, something about the word usage gave me pause. When I reached paragraph 1826, I understood why—it appears the word “charity” is being used in place of “love.” Here is section 1826:
“If I . . . have not charity,” says the Apostle, “I am nothing.” Whatever my privilege, service, or even virtue, “if I . . . have not charity, I gain nothing.” Charity is superior to all the virtues. It is the first of the theological virtues: “So faith, hope, charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity.”
Many will read this and recall the famous passage from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12–14. It is read at many weddings (including my own). The word “charity” can feel out of place, since “love” is what appears in most Catholic Bibles. However, the Greek word agapē is used in the original text, meaning self-giving, divine love.
This was translated into Latin as caritas, which refers to a virtue infused by God—one that enables us to love with God’s own love. Caritas was later translated into English as “charity,” though not in the more common, modern sense of giving a donation.
In a theological sense, all charity is love—but not all love is charity. Charity is a theological virtue, but it is also an action. It is something an individual must choose to take upon themselves.
Giving by choice is charity, and it is the way we are called to love one another.
Peace.