Faith, Hope and Charity

By Engr. Carlos V. Cornejo

These three virtues are known as the Three Theological Virtues.  Theological means these virtues directly relate us to God, from the Latin word “Theo” which means God.  We would not have a relationship with God unless we practice these virtues.  These virtues are God’s direct gifts to us during Baptism.   We would not acquire these virtues unless God has gifted them to us.  Unlike the virtues of justice, wisdom, humility, compassion, patience, etc. which are called human virtues (human in the sense that we can obtain them or practice them on our own effort) the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity can only be acquired through Baptism.

Here’s how the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines these Three Theological Virtues, “The theological virtues are the foundation of Christian moral activity; they animate it and give it its special character. They inform and give life to all the moral (or human) virtues. They are infused by God into the souls of the faithful to make them capable of acting as his children and of meriting eternal life. They are the pledge of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the faculties of the human being.”  (CCC 1813)

Faith is the virtue of the intellect.  Faith is not a feeling but knowing the truth (through the teachings of Church) and believing it because of the one who reveals it, God.  Faith is likewise a virtue of the heart because it means to trust.  It is trusting in God in everything that He does in our lives that it is for our own good especially spiritual good, although at times we experience trials and suffering that we don’t understand.  Charity is the virtue of the will.  Will as the power to choose and is also not a feeling.  Love is not a feeling but a willing.  It is willing or choosing what is good for others.  Charity or love is shown in our good deeds towards others and the practice of the other virtues because of our love for God.  And hope is faith in the future that God will reward us for our faith and good deeds with eternal life in Heaven.

 

Faith, Hope and Charity likewise answers the question on what is the meaning of life in this world.  Why am I in this world or how should I know life’s meaning?  The answer is faith.  What should I do?  The answer is to love.  And what will I expect after doing that or what is my reward?  The answer is hope.  Hope for heaven and possession of God.  Hope is the answer for our longing to be happy perfectly and without end.  Isn’t that a great hope?  You can be poor, persecuted, or suffer all sort of things but in the end, you will possess the prefect reward: God Himself.  It’s analogous to being poor because your father was poor and your grandfather was likewise poor and you never inherited anything from them except being poor. But there is an assurance that one day you will become rich with millions of wealth. How would you live your life knowing that?  We’ll you will continue being poor but nevertheless happy because there is hope of becoming rich one day.  The hope of heaven is like that.  Hoping for the next life includes looking forward that all injustices in this world will come to an end and all evil people who got away with their evil deeds will finally receive what they deserve.

As Dr. Peter Kreeft would say, “Faith is the greatest thing our mind or intellect can do.  Charity is the greatest thing our will (our power to make choices) can do. And Hope is the greatest thing our desires or longings in this life can do.”