4.7 Leeft een christen anders dan anderen?
De centrale opdracht voor iedere christen is om te houden van God en zijn naaste. Het is waar, ook niet-christenen kunnen heel goede daden doen.
Het grote verschil tussen christenen en niet-christenen is dat we gedoopt zijn en daardoor bij Jezus horen. Dat verschil mogen we laten zien door onze manier van leven in vertrouwen op God. Ook doen christenen hun best om anderen waar nodig hulp te bieden om beter te leven.
What are the “corporal works of mercy”?
To feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and the imprisoned, and bury the dead. [Youcat 450]
What are the “spiritual works of mercy”?
The spiritual works of mercy are: to instruct the ignorant, to counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, admonish the sinner, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, and pray for the living and the dead. [Youcat 451]
Bear witness to Jesus with your courageous faith and your innocence. It is no use complaining of' the wickedness of the times. As St Paul wrote, we must overcome evil by doing good (Rom 12:21). The world esteems and respects the courage of ideas and the strength of virtues. Do not be afraid to refuse words, acts, and attitudes which are not in conformity with Christian ideals. Be courageous in rejecting what destroys your innocence or wilts the freshness of your love for Christ. [Pope John Paul II, Address to Italian youth, 8 Nov. 1978]
