VIRTUE FOR MAY -

LOVE OF NEIGHBOR


"The love of one's neighbor is essentially bound up with the love of God. St. John put the matter simply when he said: 'If any man say that he loves God and hateth his neighbor, that man is a liar and the truth is not in him.' Hence it would be a contradiction to profess love of God and at the same time to exclude a neighbor from our love.

"Therefore the love of neighbor imposes many positive duties upon us, such as almsgiving, correction, forgiveness, etc.each one of which is directed towards the well-being and happiness of our neighbor, at the same time it forbids certain sins which would bring unhappiness, spiritual or temporal, to a neighbor." (1)


PRAYERS FOR MAY



Jesus, Impeccable Judge of mankind, Generous Allocator of all blessings, Thank you for the virtue of charity.

Grant me the strength to model after You, Refraining from any acts of judging others, To generously share with those in need.

Erase any weaknesses of my human nature, Allowing my soul to shine as the morning sun. By Your grace may my charity towards others Truly reflect Your eternal quintessence, Engendering marvellous spiritual fruits. Blessed be Your Glorious Name!

O my God, I love You above all things with my whole heart and soul because You are all good and worthy of all my love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of You. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen. (2)

SCRIPTURE FOR MAY

The Apostle St. Paul reminds us,

"He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,' and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13: 8-10)



ENDNOTES

Rev. Donald F. Miller, Catholic Treasures - Issue No. 88-89

www.catholic.org