On the subject of fraternal charity
you have no need for anyone to write you,
for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
Grace builds on nature, as every Catholic schoolchild should know. (The teaching is disputed by some Protestant denominations.) Created in God's image, humans have natural sympathy first for our own species; and then for all living things, and finally our total reliance on our Mother Earth to guide our moral behavior.
Mothers spontaneously care for their young, and fathers naturally care for the mothers of their young, as well as those they've begotten. We have a natural affinity for our parents; we're often genetically disposed to like the same pastimes and enjoy the same tastes as our parents. "The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree." Our siblings, whom we've either known all our lives or since their birth, also receive our love and loyalty. "Tu es hermano!" as they say in Spanish.
Where sin interrupts these natural tendencies, grace can flow to restore them. Dysfunctional or disturbed families may find healing, calm, and relief in God's mercy. Encountering strangers in distress, grace overflows within us to find ways to care for them and help them through the moment. Even warriors can offer aid and comfort to wounded, defenseless opponents. They may be soldiers but they're not murderers.
Sin severely distorts the image of God; it turns our blood to ice. But, as Saint Paul says, God himself teaches us to love one another, especially when we have been blessed, healed, and reassured by the grace of our Baptism. Knowing the Lord, having a backlog of memories of kindness received, we overflow with love for one another.
Corey Ten Boom told the story of watching with her sister, a prison guard severely beat a woman in a German work camp. "That poor woman!" Betty said. But Corey soon realized her sister pitied the female guard who had become hateful, violent, and profoundly unhappy. Her victim almost certainly died, but her assailant might suffer for all eternity.
Grace teaches us to pray for our enemies. The merciless especially are in desperate need.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.