Charity begins at home?

[ljangell]

Hi, I have a question on charity. A family member with two small children has fallen on some hard times, she is a very good person and mother. Unfortunately her husband has done some very bad things and put the family in a very bad position. I mentioned to other family members, also Catholic, that I intend to send her some money for the holidays and they said that it would be a very bad idea because it would change the dynamics of the relationship and this mother needs to “put on her big girl panties” and figure things out for herself. I also need to mention that this mother has worked very hard to support her family and does not spend anything on herself.
Please let me know what is the right thing to do?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

The other family members may be jealous and/or threatened by your generosity. If what you are doing is appropriate, then this reflects on how generous they are or not. Certainly, your act may affect the dynamic of your relationship with her–for the better!

The closer Biblical neighbors are to us, the more obliged we are to help them. God has deliberately put them in our path. Good for you!

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.