Volume I, Treatise IV, Chapter VII

That We Ought to Feel and Testify a Great Esteem of Our Brethren; and Always Speak Well of Them

Bur the charity we entertain one for another ought to be not only interior, but must also appear exteriorly in our actions, according to the words of St. John: ‘‘ Whosoever shall see his brother in any necessity, and shall shut his bowels of mercy against him, how does the charity of God remain in him?”’ (1 John 3:17) When we shall be in heaven, and stand in need of nothing, then our actions, says St. Austin, shall be no longer necessary to conserve charity. Fire, when it is in its sphere, has no need of fuel to conserve itself, but here below it is extinguished as soon as it wants a supply; su also in this world charity soon grows cold, if not cherished by action. St. Basil alleges to this purpose, what St. Juhn says in his first epistle, “In this we have known the charity of God, because he has given his life for us; and we, according to his example, ought also to give our life for our brethren.” (1 John 3:16) Hence he very justly infers, that if the love which Jesus Christ would have us bear towards our brethren, ought to be so great as to give our lives for them, it ought therefore, with far greater reason, to extend itself to innumerable other things which daily present themselves, and which are far easier to be performed.

One of the chief things which charity requires of us, and which will serve very much to preserve and increase it, is to have an esteem for our neighbour; and it is upon this foundation that the magnificent building of charity is raised. For charity is not a blind passion, nor a love, nor the effect of a mere tenderness of heart; butit is a love of reason, a love of the superior part of our souls, of which all the motions are spiritual and heavenly. It is called the love of esteem, which springs from that we have for God; and which prompts us, esteeming God above all things, to esteem our neighbour as one belonging to him. The esteem we conceive for our brethren moves us to love, honour, and respect them, and to perform towards them all the duties which charity requires of us; and as this esteem increases in us, even so charity, and all those other sentiments which it inspires, will increase. The apostle also, writing to the Philippians, exhorts them to live ‘‘in humility, alway esteeming their neighbour above themselves” (Philippians 2:3); and in like manner recommends to the Romans, “To prevent one another with testimonies of civility and respect.” (Romans 12:10) Whereupon. St. Chrysostom takes notice, that St. Paul would not have them barely honour one another, but even obliges them reciprocally to prevent each other with testimonies of kindness. We ought not to wait till another begins, and first expresses his civility in advancing towards us, but we must endeavour to advance before him; we ought to show him the way, “and be glad,” as St. Ignatius says, “to prevent one another on all occasions.” (Reg. xxix. sum.)

But to give more particular instructions upon this matter, one of the things wherein we ought most of all to testify the esteem we have for our brethren, is always to speak of them in such manner, as to make known to others the esteem we ourselves have for them. We read in the Life of St. Ignatius, that he always spoke so well of all persons whomsoever, that every one immediately conceived himself to be a particular favourite of his; and upon this account, he was in like manner beloved and respected by all. There is nothing so much inflames our charity towards our brother, or better conserves it, than to know he loves us, has a good opinion of us, and speaks to our advantage on all occasions. Let every one reflect and think on the satisfaction he himself feels, when one tells him that such a one has a kindness for him, or has done him any good office or favour; let him call to mind, how he instantly resolves on making a return, and on saying all the good he can of his friend. We cannot sufficiently extol the great and good effects this produces; and Seneca knew very well the nature of love when he said, “If you will be loved, love;” because in effect there cannot be a better means than this, as love can never be better recompensed than by love itself.

It is this which St. Chrysostom very justly infers from these words of our Saviour, “Whatsoever you would that others should do for you, do that also for them.” (Mat. vii. 12.) Do you desire, says the saint, that others should do good to you? Do so to them. Do you wish to be sympathized with? If s0, sympathize with others. Would you be praised? Praise others. Would you be loved? Love. Do you desire the first place? Be you the first to yield it. But what ought to prompt us to speak well of our brethren is, that by thus evincing great union amongst ourselves, we will exceedingly edify our neighbour. Whereas, on the contrary, the least word, which directly or indirectly seems to censure any of our brethren; the least sign we show of not esteeming them; the least thing in this way which is observable, will be an occasion of scandal. It will be inferred that there is envy and jealousy amongst us; and therefore we ought diligently to avoid anything that could in this way give the least ground of suspicion. Though your brother has his defects, it is hard also if he should not have something commendable in him. Imitate the bee who lights upon flowers only, not minding the thorns that surround them; and follow not the example of the beetle, which lights upon nothing else but ordure.

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