Commission on Evangelization

What St. Basil the Great Says about Charity and Justice

Many people today want a simpler lifestyle. Listen to this saint who was "good news" for the world in his time-and an inspiration for us!

The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry.

The garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked;

The shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of one who is barefoot.

The money you keep locked away is the money of the poor.

The acts of charity you do not perform are so many injustices you commit."

—St. Basil the Great

It's easy to collect all kinds of things we never use. And it seems that without the gifts of good friends, laughter, family and simple pleasures, it's easier to be tempted to accumulate "stuff."

To come to the point of only possessing what you need takes work: work developing diverse relationships, work developing a balance in life and career, work cleaning out the attic!

Letting go of "stuff" for some people is a truly holy work—one worth doing well!

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