# Love of Neighbor ## The Way of Perfection LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. Three kinds are mentioned: excessive ([[tj-way-ccel-04|4.6]]); mixed ([[tj-way-ccel-04|4.12]]); and spiritual ([[tj-way-ccel-04|4.12]]). The latter two are virtuous involving a friendship based on likeness ([[tj-way-ccel-04|4.15]]). In excessive love, one is dominated by an affection based on natural graces ([[tj-way-ccel-04|4.7]]). Virtuous love is directed toward helping one another love God more ([[tj-way-ccel-04|4.6]]). Spiritual love is a virtuous love that does not stir our feelings of affection; mixed love is a virtuous love accompanied by feelings of affection ([[tj-way-ccel-04|4.12]]). She decides not to discuss mixed love ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.7]]). Few have the purely spiritual love; it is characteristic of the highest perfection ([[tj-way-ccel-06|6.1]]). It arises not from thinking or believing but from a clear experiential knowledge of Creator and creature ([[tj-way-ccel-06|6.3]]). It understands that God is its origin ([[tj-way-ccel-06|6.8]]). It entrusts to God the care of those from whom love is received ([[tj-way-ccel-06|6.5]]). It has no self-interest, will strive to relieve others of work, rejoices and praises God for any increase of virtue it sees in the other ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.9]]), sets aside its own advantage for the other's sake ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.8]]); all it wants is to see the other rich with heavenly blessings ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.1]]–[[tj-way-ccel-07|2]]). It would rather suffer a trial itself than see the other suffer it, but if it sees that the other grows spiritually through its trial it rejoices ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.3]]). It cannot be insincere with those who are loved ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.4]]). It knows how to suffer the fault of another and not be surprised and strives to practice better the opposite virtue ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.7]]). It helps very much to further peace in a community ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.9]]). It knows how to take recreation with others when needed ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.7]]). It becomes impassioned in its care to see the other make progress toward God and not turn back ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.1]]). It imitates the love that Jesus has for us ([[tj-way-ccel-07|7.4]]). It is impossible to hide this love ([[tj-way-ccel-40|40.7]]). We must strive to be affable, agreeable, and pleasing to those with whom we deal ([[tj-way-ccel-41|41.7]]). ## Divine Intimacy Meditations - Is the precept of the Lord and it is sufficient: [[32-glory-to-god#Meditation 2|32,2]]; [[308-fraternal-union#Meditation 2|308,2]]; - — is distinctive of the disciples of Christ: [[70-the-bond-of-perfection#Meditation 1|70,1]]; [[262-the-new-commandment#Meditation 1|262,1]]; - — is the commandment of the New Law: [[224-fraternal-harmony#Meditation 2|224,2]]; [[260-the-extent-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|260,1]]; [[262-the-new-commandment#Meditation 1|262,1]]; - the commandment of Jesus is to love one’s neighbor as He loves him: [[262-the-new-commandment#Meditation 1|262,1]], [[262-the-new-commandment#Meditation 2|262,2]]; [[307-blessed-are-the-merciful#Meditation 1|307,1]]; - our charity will be perfect when it is the reflection of the love of Jesus for every creature [[262-the-new-commandment#Meditation 1|262,1]], [[262-the-new-commandment#Meditation 2|262,2]]; - — should extend to all, excluding no one: [[56-jesus-welcomes-everyone#Meditation 2|56,2]]; [[258-the-motive-for-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|258,1]]; [[260-the-extent-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|260,1]]; [[265-the-mantle-of-charity#Meditation 2|265,2]]; [[273-the-good-samaritan#Meditation 2|273,2]]; - it is necessary to overcome evil by love: [[56-jesus-welcomes-everyone#Meditation 2|56,2]]; [[63-jesus-calms-the-tempest#Meditation 2|63,2]]; [[70-the-bond-of-perfection#Meditation 2|70,2]]; [[224-fraternal-harmony#Meditation 1|224,1]]; - charity does not permit divisions, overcomes opposition, maintains peace: [[70-the-bond-of-perfection#Meditation 1|70,1]]; [[224-fraternal-harmony#Meditation 1|224,1]]; [[308-fraternal-union#Meditation 2|308,2]]; - greatest charity is practiced toward those who do us harm and in bearing with the wicked: [[70-the-bond-of-perfection#Meditation 2|70,2]]; - to know how to pardon: [[70-the-bond-of-perfection#Meditation 1|70,1]], [[70-the-bond-of-perfection#Meditation 2|70,2]]; [[224-fraternal-harmony#Meditation 1|224,1]]; [[264-be-ye-merciful#Meditation 1|264,1]], [[264-be-ye-merciful#Meditation 2|264,2]]; - to be good to all, even to the ungrateful and to enemies: 233.2; [[264-be-ye-merciful#Meditation 1|264,1]]; - to overlook wrongs, misunderstandings, offenses: [[268-charity-is-not-selfish#Meditation 2|268,2]]; - and injustice: [[279-perfect-justice#Meditation 2|279,2]]; - charity shares in the sorrows and necessities of others and sacrifices itself for them [[64-jesus-and-mankind#Meditation 2|64,2]]; [[267-bear-ye-one-anothers-burdens#Meditation 1|267,1]], [[267-bear-ye-one-anothers-burdens#Meditation 2|267,2]]; [[273-the-good-samaritan#Meditation 2|273,2]]; - — requires an understanding of the material needs of others: [[119-the-multiplication-of-the-loaves#Meditation 1|119,1]]; [[261-the-measure-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|261,2]]; - — is the consequence and extension of the love of God: [[64-jesus-and-mankind#Meditation 2|64,2]]; [[181-mary-and-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|181,1]], [[181-mary-and-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|181,2]]; [[257-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|257,1]]; [[268-charity-is-not-selfish#Meditation 1|268,1]]; - — is strong and constant only when it stems from love of God: [[64-jesus-and-mankind#Meditation 2|64,2]]; - when — is weak so also is the love of God: [[181-mary-and-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|181,2]]; [[317-zeal-for-souls#Meditation 1|317,1]]; [[323-the-apostolic-ideal#Meditation 2|323,2]]; - — is the proof and the most certain sign of our love for God: [[182-waiting#Meditation 1|182,1]]; [[257-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|257,2]]; [[271-love-of-neighbor-and-love-of-god#Meditation 1|271,1]]; [[365-the-yes-of-perfect-consent#Meditation 2|365,2]]; - —, together with the love of God, is the foundation of Christian life: [[257-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|257,1]]; [[308-fraternal-union#Meditation 2|308,2]]; - recollection and union with God should not hinder the practice of —: [[64-jesus-and-mankind#Meditation 2|64,2]]; [[181-mary-and-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|181,1]], [[181-mary-and-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|181,2]]; - lack of — is one of the greatest obstacles to the action of the Holy Spirit: [[182-waiting#Meditation 1|182,1]]; - God is not pleased with prayer that is not accompanied by charity: [[182-waiting#Meditation 1|182,1]]; [[224-fraternal-harmony#Meditation 2|224,2]]; - to cover our debts to God with charity: [[245-our-riches#Meditation 2|245,2]]; - — is an essential condition for eternal salvation: [[257-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|257,2]]; - there is no true religion without —: [[273-the-good-samaritan#Meditation 2|273,2]]; - — should be the fruit of Holy Communion: [[206-the-sacrament-of-union#Meditation 2|206,2]]; - duties of fellowship stemming from our incorporation in Christ [[267-bear-ye-one-anothers-burdens#Meditation 1|267,1]]; - — is love for creatures propter Deum: [[257-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|257,1]]; [[258-the-motive-for-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|258,1]], [[258-the-motive-for-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|258,2]]; [[260-the-extent-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|260,1]]; - the precept of — is inseparable from that of love for God: [[257-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|257,1]]; - God considers as done for Himself all that we do for our neighbor: [[257-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|257,1]], [[257-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|257,2]]; - — is identical with the theological virtue with which we love God: [[258-the-motive-for-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|258,1]]; - he who says he loves God and hated his brother is a liar: [[258-the-motive-for-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|258,1]]; - — is charity only in the measure in which it is inspired by the love of God [[258-the-motive-for-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|258,2]]; - one who does not love his neighbor does not love God [[259-charity-and-humility#Meditation 2|259,2]]; [[301-the-characteristics-of-a-christian#Meditation 2|301,2]]; [[323-the-apostolic-ideal#Meditation 2|323,2]]; - charity should not be based on the qualities of our neighbor, nor on our relations with him, but on his relation to God: [[260-the-extent-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|260,1]], [[260-the-extent-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|260,2]]; - in recompense for our —, God will make our love for Him increase: [[271-love-of-neighbor-and-love-of-god#Meditation 2|271,2]]; [[365-the-yes-of-perfect-consent#Meditation 2|365,2]]; - — is a created participation in the love which God has for His creatures: [[271-love-of-neighbor-and-love-of-god#Meditation 2|271,2]]; - practicing — we unite ourselves to God; failing to do so, we alienate ourselves from Him: [[271-love-of-neighbor-and-love-of-god#Meditation 2|271,2]]; - failures in — are obstacles to union with God: [[365-the-yes-of-perfect-consent#Meditation 2|365,2]]; - the foundation of charity is humility: [[259-charity-and-humility#Meditation 2|259,2]]; [[294-jesus-our-life#Meditation 1|294,1]]; [[301-the-characteristics-of-a-christian#Meditation 2|301,2]]; - egoism hinders the practice of charity: [[260-the-extent-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|260,2]]; - the greatest enemy of charity is self-love: [[264-be-ye-merciful#Meditation 1|264,1]]; - to love our neighbor as ourselves, treating him with the same delicacy and understanding that we would desire ourselves: [[261-the-measure-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 1|261,1]], [[261-the-measure-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|261,2]]; [[263-judge-not#Meditation 2|263,2]]; [[265-the-mantle-of-charity#Meditation 1|265,1]]; - to love each one individually in his concrete personality [[261-the-measure-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|261,2]]; - it is not charity to give in order to receive, but to give without calculation or measure [[268-charity-is-not-selfish#Meditation 1|268,1]]; - charity hides the good that it does, as it seeks no return: [[268-charity-is-not-selfish#Meditation 1|268,1]]; - self-renunciation is the delicacy of charity in order to adapt oneself to one’s neighbor: [[269-charity-adapts-itself-to-everyone#Meditation 1|269,1]], [[269-charity-adapts-itself-to-everyone#Meditation 2|269,2]]; [[308-fraternal-union#Meditation 1|308,1]], [[308-fraternal-union#Meditation 2|308,2]]; [[343-our-duties#Meditation 1|343,1]]; - charity is always mild and sweet [[270-mildness#Meditation 1|270,1]]; - the practice of mildness in difficult contacts with one’s neighbor: [[270-mildness#Meditation 2|270,2]]; - charity should be accompanied by affability and delicacy of manner: [[335-human-qualities-and-apostolic-charity#Meditation 1|335,1]], [[335-human-qualities-and-apostolic-charity#Meditation 2|335,2]]; - perfect courtesy, always unvarying, is the fruit of a delicate charity: [[335-human-qualities-and-apostolic-charity#Meditation 2|335,2]]; - the chief good we should wish for our neighbor is his spiritual welfare: [[261-the-measure-of-fraternal-charity#Meditation 2|261,2]]; - it is a great mistake to judge persons and things only on the negative side [[263-judge-not#Meditation 1|263,1]]; - rather than criticize the faults of others, we should try to correct the same in ourselves: [[263-judge-not#Meditation 1|263,1]]; - to judge no one because judgment is reserved to God alone: [[263-judge-not#Meditation 2|263,2]]; - if it is not possible to excuse the action, at least excuse the intention: [[263-judge-not#Meditation 2|263,2]]; - the defects of a neighbor should not lessen the esteem and benevolence for him: [[263-judge-not#Meditation 2|263,2]]; [[267-bear-ye-one-anothers-burdens#Meditation 2|267,2]]; - fraternal charity draws a veil over the faults of others: [[265-the-mantle-of-charity#Meditation 1|265,1]]; - to fight against thoughts and judgments lacking benevolence for one’s neighbor [[265-the-mantle-of-charity#Meditation 2|265,2]]; - true charity consists in bearing with the faults of others: [[267-bear-ye-one-anothers-burdens#Meditation 2|267,2]]; - in contacts with one’s neighbor, to imitate the mercy of our heavenly Father [[264-be-ye-merciful#Meditation 1|264,1]]; [[307-blessed-are-the-merciful#Meditation 1|307,1]]; - God will show us the same mercy that we have shown others: [[264-be-ye-merciful#Meditation 2|264,2]]; [[336-forgiveness#Meditation 2|336,2]]; - fraternal correction is real act of charity if done with kindness [[270-mildness#Meditation 2|270,2]]; [[294-jesus-our-life#Meditation 1|294,1]]; - charity is the best means of practicing justice [[279-perfect-justice#Meditation 2|279,2]]; - charity should be the bond that unites all: [[308-fraternal-union#Meditation 1|308,1]]; - necessary to be prepared for any personal sacrifice to preserve fraternal union: [[308-fraternal-union#Meditation 2|308,2]]; - the highest expression of fraternal charity is the apostolate: [[323-the-apostolic-ideal#Meditation 2|323,2]]. - See: [[love|Love]], [[charity|Charity]]. --- - [[32-glory-to-god|32. Glory to God]] - [[56-jesus-welcomes-everyone|56. Jesus Welcomes Everyone]] - [[63-jesus-calms-the-tempest|63. Jesus Calms the Tempest]] - [[64-jesus-and-mankind|64. Jesus and Mankind]] - [[70-the-bond-of-perfection|70. The Bond of Perfection]] - [[119-the-multiplication-of-the-loaves|119. The Multiplication of the Loaves]] - [[181-mary-and-fraternal-charity|181. Mary and Fraternal Charity]] - [[182-waiting|182. Waiting]] - [[206-the-sacrament-of-union|206. The Sacrament of Union]] - [[224-fraternal-harmony|224. Fraternal Harmony]] - [[233-gods-infinite-goodness-is-diffusive|233. God’s Infinite Goodness is Diffusive]] - [[245-our-riches|245. Our Riches]] - [[257-fraternal-charity|257. Fraternal Charity]] - [[258-the-motive-for-fraternal-charity|258. The Motive for Fraternal Charity]] - [[259-charity-and-humility|259. Charity and Humility]] - [[260-the-extent-of-fraternal-charity|260. The Extent of Fraternal Charity]] - [[261-the-measure-of-fraternal-charity|261. The Measure of Fraternal Charity]] - [[262-the-new-commandment|262. The New Commandment]] - [[263-judge-not|263. Judge not]] - [[264-be-ye-merciful|264. Be Ye Merciful]] - [[265-the-mantle-of-charity|265. The Mantle of Charity]] - [[267-bear-ye-one-anothers-burdens|267. Bear Ye One Another’s Burdens]] - [[268-charity-is-not-selfish|268. Charity is not Selfish]] - [[269-charity-adapts-itself-to-everyone|269. Charity Adapts Itself to Everyone]] - [[270-mildness|270. Mildness]] - [[271-love-of-neighbor-and-love-of-god|271. Love of Neighbor and Love of God]] - [[273-the-good-samaritan|273. The Good Samaritan]] - [[279-perfect-justice|279. Perfect Justice]] - [[294-jesus-our-life|294. Jesus Our Life]] - [[301-the-characteristics-of-a-christian|301. The Characteristics of a Christian]] - [[307-blessed-are-the-merciful|307. Blessed Are the Merciful]] - [[308-fraternal-union|308. Fraternal Union]] - [[317-zeal-for-souls|317. Zeal for Souls]] - [[323-the-apostolic-ideal|323. The Apostolic Ideal]] - [[335-human-qualities-and-apostolic-charity|335. Human Qualities and Apostolic Charity]] - [[336-forgiveness|336. Forgiveness]] - [[343-our-duties|343. Our Duties]] - [[365-the-yes-of-perfect-consent|365. The Yes of Perfect Consent]]