Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: neighbor

Love of God, neighbor, and self

Although there is an evident distinction between love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self, a marvelous bond nevertheless does exist among the three, so that each is found in all, and all in each. None of them can be possessed without all, and when one wavers they all diminish. Someone who does… Read More ›

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In the least

In praying, the Christian always stands with Christ in the middle of history. Our history, for Christ has been always present in the lives of men, walking with us, dwelling within our hearts, for he is the Word after all. In the beginning was the Word, by that we are all held in existence, for… Read More ›

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He lives only for others

Someone who takes pity and lends, who is disposed to be compassionate, quick to render assistance, who believes that there is more happiness in giving than in receiving, who easily forgives but is not easily angered, who will never seek to be avenged, and will in all things take thought for his neighbor’s needs as… Read More ›

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Do You Belong?

Hospitality is more than following the Rule or serving dessert — it may affect a person’s health as well… An important driver for a lifestyle of optimism is a sense of purpose. There’s much truth in Nietzche’s “If you know the why, you can live any how.” Ultimately, what creates purpose is the experience that… Read More ›

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See Christ in your neighbor

There was in the Cells an old man called Apollo. If someone came to find him about doing a piece of work, he would set out joyfully, saying, ‘I am going to work with Christ today, for the salvation of my soul, for that is the reward he gives.’ With regard to receiving the brethren,… Read More ›

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Light, fire and flame

Love in its nature makes a human being like God, as far as is possible for a human being. The soul is intoxicated by the effects of it. Its characteristics are a fountain of faith, an abyss of patience, an ocean of humility. Love is the complete repudiation of any unkind thought about one’s neighbor,… Read More ›

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Love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self

Although there is an evident distinction between love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self, a marvelous bond nevertheless does exist among the three, so that each is found in all, and all in each. None of them can be possessed without all, and when one wavers they all diminish. Someone who does… Read More ›

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Charity toward our neighbor

One day the patriarch John (the Almsgiver) gave to one of his servants who had been reduced to extreme poverty two pounds of gold with his own hands so that no one might know of it.  When his servant said, “After this gift I shall no longer have the courage to look you in the… Read More ›

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As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us.

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us.  The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence  also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man…. Read More ›

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What we share

One way to help alleviate the pain caused by others is to think about them without rancor; to see them in the light of what is shared. We all have a past that has some pain and sorrow connected to it. This does have an affect on how we relate and respond to others, but… Read More ›

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