August 17 - Where Charity Ends

“Charity begins at home.” Few of us doubt the wisdom and the primary duty of taking care of our families, neighborhoods, and communities. But for many, the obligation of charity can often appear to end at home as well. We may be reluctant to put our funds at the disposal of another needy parish, or to assist someone else’s family with our limited resources. But what if we took seriously the human family as genuine sisters and brothers? When home and family are expansive notions, then charity at home goes a long, long way.