Author Topic: Who are our neighbors? (Read 4383 times)

InfiniteFaith · « **on:** September 07, 2015, 06:14:26 PM »

Christ states that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. But who are our neighbors? The family living next door to your house? Other Baptized, true believing Catholics? All Baptized believing Christians? Everyone in general?

Arvinger · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2015, 06:24:24 PM »

St. Paul teaches us to do good to all people, not only believers.

Galatians 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Likewise, St. Peter teaches to show respect to all people.

1 Peter 2:17 "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."

This of course ties in with universal salvific will of God (1 Timothy 4:10, 1 John 2:2, Hebrews 2:9) - we should show love to everyone, sicne God is willing to save every single person in our way.

InfiniteFaith · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2015, 07:30:55 PM »

Quote from: Arvinger

St. Paul teaches us to do good to all people, not only believers.

Galatians 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Likewise, St. Peter teaches to show respect to all people.

1 Peter 2:17 "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor."

This of course ties in with universal salvific will of God (1 Timothy 4:10, 1 John 2:2, Hebrews 2:9) - we should show love to everyone, sicne God is willing to save every single person in our way.

I am going to play the skeptic role and bring about some questions concerning the verses you quoted. Note how in Galatians it says "especially to..the family of believers".

In this verse, and and in the others, there seems to be a distinction between believer and non believer on some level. Yes I think we should love non believers. It says that we should love even our enemies. But do we love them as our neighbors and ourselves? I'm not so sure this question has been answered. I ask because it seems that if we treat every single person the same then would that not lead to communism? Communism being, of course, against Catholic teaching.

Matto · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2015, 07:35:20 PM »

I think Bishop Williamson's recent letter is relevant to this thread Here is a link to it.

TKGS · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2015, 07:57:11 PM »

Quote from: InfiniteFaith

Christ states that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. But who are our neighbors? The family living next door to your house? Other Baptized, true believing Catholics? All Baptized believing Christians? Everyone in general?

Obviously, the parable of the Good Samaritan doesn't apply here....