CHAPTER IX

THE ATTACKS BROUGHT AGAINST RELIGIOUS ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR WORKS OF CHARITY

As religious are charged with meddling in other people's concerns, we will now consider the grounds on which these accusations are based.

             1. The following words of St. Paul are quoted, "that you use your endeavour to be quiet, and that you do your own business" (1 Thess. iv. 11). They also cite the commentary of the Gloss, "leaving the affairs of other people alone, as is profitable for the amendment of your own life."

             2. St. Paul says, "we have heard that there are some among you who walk disorderly, working not at all, but curiously meddling" (2 Thess. iii. 11). On this passage, the Gloss remarks, "Do men who act thus, contrary to the law of the Lord, deserve to be supported by the alms of others?"

             3. "No man being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with secular business" (2 Tim. ii.), "of any kind whatsoever," adds the Gloss. Now, as the affairs of other people are frequently of a worldly nature, it is maintained, that religious ought never to concern themselves with the business of their neighbours.

             This opinion is directly opposed to the teaching of St. James, who says: "Now religion pure and undefiled, before God and the Father, is this: to visit the orphans and the widow in their tribulation," (Ep. i. 22), i.e. "to succour those who are in distress and have no other assistance," as the Gloss explains.

             "I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, that you assist her, in whatsoever business she shall have need of you" (Rom. xvi. 1). The Gloss says, that the Apostle here speaks of a woman who had gone to Rome on some business. He commends her to the care of the Romans. "Bear ye one another's burdens, for so you shall fulfil the law of Christ," St. Paul also writes to the Galatians (vi. 2).

             These words, all prove, that it is commendable in a man to be as anxious about his neighbour's interests, as if they were his own. Nevertheless, two faults are to be avoided in the exercise of this fraternal charity. We must beware of being so occupied about other people's affairs, as to neglect our own. St. Paul warns us against this error, saying, "Use your endeavour to be quiet," i.e. free from curiosity (Gloss), and "do your own business," (1 Thess. iv.), "leaving other people's alone" (Gloss). We are, here, commanded to mind our own concerns, rather than those of our neighbours. St. Paul, also, warns us (2 Thess. iii.) against helping others in any illicit proceedings, or assisting them from an unlawful motive. Hence the Gloss says on the words "curiously meddling": "Do men who thus act, contrary to the law of the Lord, deserve to be supported by the alms of others? For, their God is their belly, and, with unworthy solicitude, they seek to provide themselves with the necessaries of life." Their iniquitous motive is proved, by the fact, that they desire only their own material advantage. That they seek, with reprehensible anxiety, to procure such advantage, proves, that they become engaged in some unlawful business. This is our answer to the two first accusations brought against religious who assist their neighbour.

             To the third charge we answer, that, according to the explanation of the Gloss, those occupations are to be called secular, in which men are engaged in making money, but not by manual labour. To this class belong all mercantile pursuits. Religious are forbidden to involve themselves in any business of this description. They may not, for instance, trade in another man's interest. There is no reason, however, against their performing charitable offices for their neighbours, such as giving him advice, or interceding for him.