Seventeenth Day
Brotherly love: Extent of Christian Perfection. — Matt. v. 38-43.
Our Lord here returns to that obligation of loving one another of which He has already said that, far from being at liberty to kill, or even to strike, we must not go so far as to get angry with our brother, nor show bitterness against him by insulting words; that if there had been any dispute we must be ready to make it up easily; and that, if possible, we should not employ a judge to settle quarrels, nor even a mediator to bring together hearts that were estranged. This is because we have a natural mediator who will work reconciliation between us: — Jesus Christ, and His grace and spirit of charity within our souls. We must, then, cultivate a conciliatory spirit, and each one be ready to come to an agreement with his brother of his own accord. Our Saviour said that if we suspected any irritation against us
