ACC ~ Luke 10 v36 - 37

CHRIST DESIRES TO BE OUR NEIGHBOR

AUGUSTINE: God our Lord wished to be called our neighbor. The Lord Jesus Christ meant that he was the one who gave help to the man lying half-dead on the road, beaten and left by the robbers. The prophet said in prayer, “As a neighbor and as one’s own brother, so did I please.” [1] Since the divine nature is far superior and above our human nature, the command by which we are to love God is distinct from our love of our neighbor. He shows mercy to us because of his own goodness, while we show mercy to one another because of God’s goodness. He has compassion on us so that we may enjoy him completely, while we have compassion on another that we may completely enjoy him. CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION 33. [2]

[1] Ps 34:14 LXX.

[2] FC 2:51*.

LOVE FOR CHRIST AS NEIGHBOR

AMBROSE: Since no one is closer than he who tended to our wounds, let us love him as our Lord, and let us love him as our neighbor. Nothing is so close as the head to the members. [1] Let us also love him who is the follower of Christ, let us love him who in unity of body has compassion on another’s need. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.84. [2]

[1] See 1 Cor 6:15; Eph 5:30.

[2] EHG 265*.