"Charity is not puffed up."
One of the great dangers of prosperity is that it so often produces a fatal exaltation of self. We are flattered by others and we begin to think that we are persons of importance.
Those around give way to us, listen to us when we speak, respect our opinion. From this, in our folly, we fancy ourselves distinguished and eminent and expect to be treated accordingly. This temper, if it exists in us, shows that we are very deficient in true charity, for charity is never puffed up with a high estimate of self.
How does charity prevent this self-conceited pride and arrogance? Humility seems to be the proper virtue by which it is to be met. Humility is indeed more obviously its opposite, but charity is equally a remedy for pride and arrogance. For charity is an emptying-out of self to give place to God alone. True charity ignores self, despises self, and is therefore quite incompatible with the temper that is nothing else than a magnifying of self and an ignoring of God. Which of the two tendencies is the stronger in my heart?
We are not likely to arrive at a true estimate of ourself unless others treat us as we deserve. How are we to know what our deserts may be? Our idea of our own deserts will be regulated by the degree of our charity. Those who esteem God the most and esteem themselves the least, consider themselves worthy only to be trampled underfoot and spat upon. How should I appreciate such treatment? Would my charity enable me to rejoice in it, as suitable indeed for one like myself?
- text from Charity, Meditations for a Month by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ