“On the subject of fraternal charity you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” But he did write! St. Paul can’t resist giving advice. But this advice did not come because he was a first century version of Dear Abby. As the above quotation illustrates the Apostle’s advice came from his understanding that our behavior reflects our relationship with God. This matters not only for one’s own call to holiness that characterizes Christian life. The life of Christians is also a powerful evangelizing tool. Among the earliest reports that pagans gave about the Church: “look how these Christians love one another.” That love is what attracts others to a gospel life.
