Salesian Literature

Chapter 1  :  Growth in charity is not a question of natural temperament

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Natural temperament plays no small part in the loving contemplation of God – wrote a great monk of this century – and people with affectionate natures have a distinct advantage.  I do not think he means, however, that charity is apportioned to men or angels on the strength of natural qualities; nor does he mean that God shares his love with men in proportion to their natural traits and talents.  This would contradict scripture.

 

All through this treatise I have been talking about the supernatural love which God, in his loving kindness, pours out into our hearts.  This love makes its home in the highest point of the soul, its very apex, independent of natural disposition.

 

In one way, an affectionate nature temperamentally equips people for loving God; in another, it renders them liable to become too fond of created things.  Such a natural tendency gives people an aptitude for loving God; it also makes it perilously possible for them to adulterate the purity of charity with a miscellany of other loves.  Loving unworthily is the risk we run in loving easily.

 

It is true, however, that souls made in this way do wonderfully well in the love of God.  once they are purified from the love of creatures, charity finds it easy to permeate all their spiritual faculties.  The result is a pleasing graciousness not apparent in those with bitter, peevish, gloomy or cross-gained temperaments.

 

But suppose there were two people equal in charity: one naturally kind and loving, the other of surely or sarcastic temperament … Undoubtedly they would both love God to the same extent, though not in the same way.  The naturally kind-hearted person would love more easily, be more courteous, more gentle; but his love would not be stronger or more perfect.  The love which springs from the obstacles and reluctance of a crabbed, unfeeling nature will be stronger, more illustrious; though the other may be more delightful and graceful.

 

A naturally affectionate disposition, therefore, counts for little, when it comes to loving God, loving supernaturally.  Theotimus, I would gladly tell every man: “If your heart is inclined to love, why not aim at loving God? Even if you are not naturally affectionate, why not set your heart on supernatural love?  God, from whom this holiest of invitations comes, will himself lovingly bestow it on you.”

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