An Example of Charity
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
As we begin Holy Week, we might look at John 15:13 – “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. (RSV) That’s a wonderful example of charity, and Jesus Christ did this on the Cross. It was for us that he gave us His life, so it should not be a burden to bear for Him whatever evils and challenges are faced by us. Great patience shows itself in two ways, either when a person suffers evils patiently, or when he suffers what he could avoid or tries to avoid. (Concept from an Aquinas Meditation book*)
An example of humility presents itself when we look at the Crucified, in “Let us condemn him to a shameful death since God will rescue him…” (Wis. 2:20). Jesus took on our humanity; that’s an act of humility in itself. He lowered himself to our standard because he loves us.
If you seek an example of obedience, follow Him who became obedient unto death, as in: “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:8)
Have a good Holy Week!
bro. Fred
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Palm Sunday 2026
(*) Quotations from Meditations for Lent, from St. Thomas Aquinas (1937, Roman Catholic Books, Ft. Collins, CO)