Not Just Rules

July 1, 2022

Our identity and guiding principles as Knights find their source in God’s own inner life of charity and unity

By Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

July 1, 2022

Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William E. Lori

Rules are important. If sound and reasonable, they guide us to virtuous conduct. They help instill order in society and in our personal lives. When everyone follows the same rules, the playing field is level.

As Knights of Columbus, our rules include the laws and regulations of the Order, which are animated by our foundational principles of charity, unity and fraternity. Yet, we must not reduce these principles to rules and obligations. Without denying the importance of good governance and personal responsibility, which are very important for “the good of the Order,” I would suggest that our founding principles are much more than rules.

As we know, Blessed Michael McGivney looked for a way to revitalize and strengthen the faith of the men of his parish, St. Mary’s in New Haven, Conn. He saw them drifting from the practice of the faith, sometimes drawn away by anti-Catholic benefit societies, and in need of fraternal support in living out their vocations as husbands and fathers. He didn’t begin with rules and regulations but rather with the Gospel, which he summarized in just a few words. He began with charity and unity, and fraternity was added several years later. These three words function like a miniature catechism that summarizes the faith.

Before all else, these principles point to the reality and beauty of God’s inner life and to his love for us. Indeed, they are an invitation to share in his life and love through the grace of baptism, which bears fruit in works of charity, unity and fraternity.

‘God’s love comes first. Before we can become men of charity, we must receive God’s love into our hearts. More than that, we must encounter his love by opening our hearts to the person of Christ.’

As Knights, we pledge to live a life of charity and strive to continue Blessed Michael McGivney’s charity “to the needy and the outcast.” Yet, charity is more than a duty. As St. John famously declares, “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8). St. John also teaches, “In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins” (1 Jn 4:10). God’s love comes first. Before we can become men of charity, we must receive God’s love into our hearts. More than that, we must encounter his love by opening our hearts to the person of Christ.

The same is true of unity. We pledge to maintain the unity of the Order, but if we rely only on good will, we falter. At some point, we stumble over self-interest. The principle of unity points us to the unity of God’s inner life — one God in three persons. The three persons of the Trinity are distinct, yet they are one God. Recall how frequently Jesus spoke of his union with the Father. Recall that St. Paul speaks of “the unity of the Spirit” (cf. Eph 4:3). Through baptism, we are drawn into the unity of the three persons of the Blessed Trinity — a reality that is expressed in the Church’s unity. By sharing in God’s own life and love, we can become unifiers — in the Church, in the Order, and in our families and communities.

Let’s return to the point that each divine person of the one God is distinct but bound together in a sublime fellowship. Think of how often Jesus, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, spoke of his love for the Father. “The Father and I are one,” he said (Jn 10:30). This is the basis of fraternal friendship, for the help we give one another, and of our solidarity with those in need: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you” (2 Cor 13:13).

Our blessed founder was a man of charity, unity and fraternity, and he continues to exemplify these Gospel principles because of his holiness, his intimacy with God. His spiritual guidance reminds us that rules are important, but their true importance is best seen at their source!

Metal bucket at draw-well in European village.

Not Just Rules

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