1. Charity Toward All
Chapter 12

2. The Golden Rule “Love your neighbor as yourself”
Ties into the 5th Commandment
Need to treat others with respect and love
Violations of the 5th Commandment stem from a lack of love

3. Loving One’s Enemies Christ taught we need to have goodwill to all
“Love your enemies”
No real merit in just loving people who love you back
Even people who do evil can do that
Need to respond to wrongdoings with love, not revenge
Doesn’t mean we need to feel like we love them
Just need to truly love them
Want the best for them

4. Killing Someone’s Spirit
Can violate the 5th Commandment without harming someone physically
We can hurt them spiritually/emotionally
Anger
Gets in the way of love and goodwill
Makes us want revenge
Makes us do things without thinking of the consequences
“I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment”
Mt 5:22
Cursing
Hatred
Wish evil on someone
Opposite of love
“Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer”
1 John 3:15

5. Handling Mistreatment
We should not strike back immediately when mistreated
Should not harbor ill will either
Should offer up mistreatment for their sanctification
Follow Jesus’ example
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you”
Lk 6:27-28

6. Just Anger Jesus cleansed the temple Also known as righteous anger
Helps us stand up for rights of defenseless
i.e. working for the pro-life cause

7. Scandal
Fully conscience and deliberate bad example or encouragement that could lead another person into sin
Endangers someone else’s soul
No greater lack of charity for another’s soul
People who give scandalous examples are liable for the sins of those who they scandalize
“it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea”
Mt 18:5-6

8. Forgiveness Jesus taught need for forgiveness
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“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34)
We must follow Jesus’ example