THE LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR WHICH GOD ASKS OF US MUST BE DONE OUT OF LOVE FOR JESUS.
Christianity cannot be reduced to a kind of agency for “doing good”. It is not a mere philanthropy, though noble in itself. It is much more than that.
Service of our neighbour acquires supernatural value when it is done out of love for Christ, when we see Christ in the person in need. This is why St Paul asserts that “if I give away all I have . . but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor 13:3).
Any interpretation of Jesus’ teaching on the Last Judgment would be wide of the mark if it gave it a materialistic meaning or confused mere philantrophy with genuine Christian charity.
