1.
CONCERN FOR
OTHERS
2.
RECIPROCITY
3. AND PERSONAL
HOLINESS.
1. CONCERN FOR OTHERS
1. "Let us be concerned for each other": responsibility
towards our brothers and sisters.
This first aspect is an invitation to be "concerned": the Greek verb used here is katanoein, which means to scrutinize, to be attentive, to observe carefully and take stock of something. the verb which introduces our exhortation tells us to look at others, first of all at Jesus, to be concerned for one another, and not to remain isolated and indifferent to the fate of our brothers and sisters. All too often, however, our attitude is just the opposite: an indifference and disinterest born of selfishness and masked as a respect for "privacy".
God asks us to be "guardians" of
our brothers and sisters (Gen 4:9), to establish relationships based on mutual
consideration and attentiveness to the well-being, the integral well-being of
others. The great commandment of love for one another demands that we
acknowledge our responsibility towards those who, like ourselves, are creatures
and children of God.
The Servant of God Pope Paul VI
stated that the world today is suffering above all from a lack of brotherhood
which is caused by the weakening of
brotherly ties between individuals and nations" (Populorum Progressio).
CONCERN FOR OTHERS ENTAILS THE FOLLOWING DEMANDS:
1.)
Desiring what is good for
them from every point of view: physical, moral and spiritual. The good is whatever gives, protects and
promotes life, brotherhood and communion.
It means desiring and working for the good of others.
2.)
Concern for others means
being aware of their needs. Sacred
Scripture warns us of the danger that our hearts can become hardened by a sort
of "spiritual anesthesia" which numbs us to the
suffering of others. In that of Dives and Lazarus, the rich man is heedless of
the poverty of Lazarus, who is starving to death at his very door.
WHAT CAUSES LACK OF CONCERN? Often it is the possession of material riches ( material wealth, sense of self-sufficiency, me above others, it can also be the tendency to put our own interests and problems above all else.
WHAT CAUSES LACK OF CONCERN? Often it is the possession of material riches ( material wealth, sense of self-sufficiency, me above others, it can also be the tendency to put our own interests and problems above all else.
How can we develop a sense of compassion
and empathy?
a.)
Humbleness of
heart
b.)
personal experience of sufferings
c.)
Reaching out
to others
d.)
opening our
hearts to their needs can become an opportunity for salvation and blessedness
3.)
"Being concerned for each other" also entails being concerned
for their spiritual well-being through fraternal correction. The Scriptures
tell us: "Reprove not an arrogant man, lest he hate you: reprove a wise
man, and he will love you “ (Prov 9:8ff). Christ himself commands us to
admonish a brother who is committing a sin (cf. Mt 18:15).” If your brother
sins against you,go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he
listens to you,you have won over your brother”.It is part of the mission of Christians to speak out against a
generation indulging in evil (cf. Eph 5:11), “Take no part in the fruitless
works of darkness,rather expose them.” . The Church's tradition has included
"admonishing sinners" among the spiritual works of mercy.
It is
important to recover this dimension of Christian charity. We must not remain
silent before evil. I am thinking of all those Christians who, out of human
regard or purely personal convenience, adapt to the prevailing mentality,
rather than warning their brothers and sisters against ways of thinking and
acting that are contrary to the truth and that do not follow the path of
goodness.
Christian
admonishment, out of love and mercy for
its part, is never motivated by a spirit of accusation or recrimination. As the
Apostle Paul says: " Brothers, even if a person is caught in some
transgression,you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle
spirit,looking to yourself,so that you also may not be tempted.” (Gal 6:1).
There will always be a need for a gaze which loves and admonishes, which knows
and understands, which discerns and forgives (cf. Lk 22:61), as God has done
and continues to do with each of us.
We then need to help others and allow them to help us, so that we can be open to the whole truth about ourselves, improve our lives and walk more uprightly in the Lord's ways. This mutual correction and encouragement in a spirit of humility and charity form part of the life of the Christian community.
We then need to help others and allow them to help us, so that we can be open to the whole truth about ourselves, improve our lives and walk more uprightly in the Lord's ways. This mutual correction and encouragement in a spirit of humility and charity form part of the life of the Christian community.
2. "BEING CONCERNED FOR EACH OTHER":
THE GIFT OF RECIPROCITY.
Being
concerned for each other calls us not to be blind physical sufferings and to
the spiritual and moral demands of life. We have to seek the ways to peace , seek ways to support one
another and not but rather work for the common good.
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