ACC ~ John 15 v13

LOVE YOUR ENEMY AND MAKE A FRIEND

GREGORY THE GREAT: The unique, the highest proof of love is this, to love the person who is against us. This is why Truth himself bore the suffering of the cross and yet bestowed his love on his persecutors, saying, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” [1] Why should we wonder that his living disciples loved their enemies, when their dying master loved his? He expressed the depth of his love when he said, “No one has greater love that this, than that he lay down his life for his friends.” The Lord had come to die even for his enemies, and yet he said he would lay down his life for his friends to show us that when we are able to win over our enemies by loving them, even our persecutors are our friends. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 27. [2]

[1] Lk 23:34.

[2] CS 123:213; PL 76:1205-6.

CHRIST DIED FOR US, THE UNGODLY

AUGUSTINE: But “greater love has no one than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends.” No one, you think? Absolutely no one. It is true; Christ said it. Let us question the apostle, and let him answer us: “Christ,” he says, “died for the ungodly.” And again he says, “While we were enemies, we were reconciled with God through the death of his Son.” [1] So there you are. In Christ we do find greater love, seeing that he gave up his life not for his friends but for his enemies. How great must be God’s love for humanity and what extraordinary affection, so to love even sinners that he would die for love of them! “For God emphasizes his love toward us”—they are the apostle’s words—“because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” [2] SERMON 215.5. [3]

[1] Rom 5:6, 10.

[2] Rom 5:8.

[3] WSA 3 6:163; RB 68:22.

GIVE UP POSSESSIONS, THEN YOURSELF

GREGORY THE GREAT: Cultivate the virtue of love in tranquil times by showing mercy, so that it will be unconquerable in times of disorder. Learn first to give up your possessions for almighty God, and then yourself. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 27. [1]

[1] CS 123:214*; PL 76:1206.