When it comes to charity we are used to associate this term to many different concepts: for example think of the kindness, love, the gift of self to others, humility, patience ... There comes to mind instead of alms. "Making love" is in fact another expression that means "to give alms." This concept is very important but often neglected from the consideration of others.
The term "charity" has been translated from greek "agape . The meaning of agape is often contrasted with that of Eros: it claims, is obscure, it is telluric while the ' agape gives is mild, be patient. In reality we can not feel your love as the opposite in every way eros, because the latter is also the thirst for knowledge.
S. Paul is one who sees nell'agape a key part of being Christian. Says: "Everything is done with agape . If an action, seemingly right, it's done without agape, it is not right. In addition, the charity defines God
The word "charity" used many times in the New Testament, while it is found in the extra biblical greek. There is a verb agapao , but not agape. Indeed, this term was introduced with the translation of the Bible by the Seventy.
Doglio, biblical scholar and theologian, examines the process of translation of the verb "agapao. According to a first hypothesis, could result from an Indo-European root "-gab" alluding to the meaning of "welcome", or from the Sanskrit "shake hands". Another theory is
that derives from the Greek root "-Aga" = "very much".
Love then is the experience of wealth provoked by surprise, like a guest who is surprised by the stranger that is hosted. Just because someone does not equate all'aiutare the other needs, but since it is no surprise for a lot, comes from the recognition of merit that was created prior to recognition of need. Charity, therefore, is equivalent to give because we recognize the value of others, the other is given because the other counts.
Another theory on the word " agape "is that it contains the Indo-European root"-p "which alludes to the protection and housing. Therefore charity sees in value, acknowledges, and then protects him.
Iliad Priam in book 24 to honor the body of his son Hector, taken by Achilles. Please Priam that Zeus was moved by her grief. So God instructs Hermes to accompany Priam to Achilles' tent. Once accomplished the task, Hermes disappears because it considers inappropriate for a man to see how much love the gods have for men. In fact, for the Greeks, was interested in an unseemly death. Christianity upsets this view. For God gives us because it considers worthy of the gift, recognize our value. And the greatness of God is shown in the fact that we did not love him first. For this reason they are called theological virtues are the forces of God because God gives
is certainly the value of everyone's life. The charity is forgiveness, because God recognizes our value in spite of our sins. The logic of charity is that of turning the other cheek: to recognize the value of the other even if it does harm to us.
Cassandra Karapatakis