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Known by Love: The DNA of Charity in Every Mission


The last time I saw it clearly was not during a great act of service. 

It was a quiet moment. 


A Gebirah missioner knelt beside an elderly woman. There was no common language. No programme to run. No checklist to complete. Just presence.  


A gentle smile. A hand held a little longer than necessary. The room felt different after that—lighter somehow. Warmer. 


That moment reminded me of what Jesus said would mark His disciples forever: 



Not by efficiency. Not by results. Not by how much we accomplish. But by love. 


The Greatest Gift We Carry Into Every Mission 


It is a gift. In fact, as Fr. Peter Armenio, an Opus Dei priest, beautifully reminds us, it is the greatest gift we have.  


St. Paul does not mince words when he speaks about charity. 



Inspired by the Holy Spirit, St. Paul tells us plainly: without charity, everything else counts for nothing. 


This is challenging—especially for those of us who bring many gifts to mission work. It is easy to prefer our intellectual abilities, our personality, our charm, our organisational skills, our drive to get things done, even our generosity or leadership. These are not bad gifts. They are often necessary. 



That gift is charity. 


The other gifts are not incompatible with charity—but they must be inspired by it. Otherwise, even good works can quietly become about us. We may serve efficiently, but we will not love deeply. 


Charity Is Already Written Into Us 


Why can Jesus demand so much of us? 

Because He has already given us what it takes. 


At Baptism, Fr. Peter explains, God does something radical. He does not merely forgive sin—He gives us a new supernatural DNA. Along with faith and hope, charity is infused into our souls. Sanctifying grace elevates our nature and gives us the real capacity to love with the very heart of Christ. 



Fr. Peter compares this to professional athletes. No matter how hard others train, these athletes possess something in their DNA—speed, coordination, instinct—that transcends effort alone. 


In the same way, every baptised person carries something extraordinary in their supernatural genetic code. Written into it is one word: saint. 


We already have the most excellent of virtues.  


This means that no matter our background, temperament, or culture, God has already given us what it takes to love as Christ loves—if we cooperate with His grace.  


“Love as I Have Loved You”: A Command That Changes Everything 


The command Jesus gives is deceptively simple—and utterly demanding. 



This goes far beyond the Old Law:


Jesus raises the bar. The measure is no longer me, but Him. 

It is no accident that St. John—the evangelist who writes most about love—is the one who records this command three times. This is the same John who once wanted Jesus to call down fire on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54).


Jesus rebuked him: “You do not know what spirit you are of” (Luke 9:55). 


That fiery “Son of Thunder” was transformed by grace into the apostle of charity. Proof that charity is not about personality—it is about conversion. 

 

Why Prayer Is Non-Negotiable on Mission


As St. Josemaría Escriva writes in Forge, point 79: 

“If you lack charity, it’s not a lack of character—it’s a lack of piety.” 


This is where missions become either deeply fruitful—or quietly frustrating.  


Over the years, volunteers sometimes remarked, “There’s a lot of praying in your missions compared to others.” That is intentional. 


Without prayer, the good we do becomes merely man’s good. And man’s good—however well-intentioned—is defective and vulnerable to pride, resentment, and judgment. 


St. Paul tells us where charity begins: 



And again: 



Charity does not begin with effort. It begins with piety—with prayer.  


This is why, eight days before every mission, we encourage spiritual preparation by cleansing ourselves with confession, daily Mass, the Rosary, the Angelus, prayer for the Holy Father, for our beneficiaries, missioners, and benefactors—living and deceased and other ascetical practices. 


Over the years, I have noticed something consistent.  


When volunteers neglect prayer and such spiritual practices, they become critical, impatient, or dissatisfied. Sometimes they even judge the poor—not poor enough, not grateful enough, not deserving enough. 


But when volunteers pray—when they kneel before the Blessed Sacrament, attend Mass, receive Holy Communion, meditate on the spiritual readings—something changes. 


Anxiety softens. Smiles return. Peace grows. More joyful. Charity takes over. 


That is what it means to put on Christ.  

That is grace at work. 


Charity That Transforms Both Giver and Receiver 


Gebirah is a Catholic humanitarian organisation inspired by the spirit of Opus Dei, committed to serving the poor, the sick, refugees, and marginalised communities across Asia and beyond. Our missions integrate practical aid with deep respect for human dignity, spiritual accompaniment, and authentic presence. 


We welcome Catholics and non-Christians alike. What matters most is not perfection—but openness. 


Sometimes, our volunteers arrive nervous. They don’t know anyone. They’re unsure of what lies ahead. Yet those who are prayerful and cooperative with Grace are the ones who are transformed the most.


As they befriend the poor, they discover something unexpected: they are the ones being evangelised as well. 


Jesus promised this: 



And St. Paul describes what this looks like in daily life: 



 

This kind of charity is powerful. It disarms resentment. It melts coldness. It outshines darkness. 

 

The Only Evangelisation That Still Works 


Pope Francis has said that we are living in a time of re-evangelisation. Christian culture, as we once knew it, is fading. But the Gospel is not powerless. 


Charity still speaks. 


 

On our missions, we may build houses, deliver supplies, or run programmes—but what people remember most is how they were loved. A loving person lifts spirits because others glimpse Christ through them. 


And when we doubt our capacity, Jesus gently reminds us: You already have the DNA. Use it. Work at it. 


Become the Letter Christ Wants to Write 


Every Gebirah mission is an invitation—not just to serve, but to become. To become men and women who are known, unmistakably, as disciples of Christ by the love they carry into ordinary conversations, difficult times, and forgotten places. 


As darkness thickens in the world, the light of charity does not retreat. It advances. Life overcomes death. Grace overcomes sin. Love always wins. 


And if this stirs something in your heart, we invite partners, collaborators, and volunteers who may be interested to join or support us in our missions. 


If you feel inclined, please like, share or comment, connect and follow me at https://lnkd.in/g7abtTas  

I love hearing your thoughts. 

 

Stay tuned to find out about our next mission or humanitarian project.🔔 https://www.gebirah.org/mission-trips 

 

Please click on the Forthcoming Missions for more information: 

Timor Leste – 7 to 11 Aug 26 

Ashiya, Japan – 25 to 30 Sep 26 

Tamil Nadu, India – 9 to 13 Oct 26 

 

 
 
 

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