A Common Bond

Huic fonti, huic sanctae communioni non communicat alienus. Avrus enim aut capidus, seu quiquis est Fidei Christianiae contrarius, divisus est. Qui autem dona Dei communicat, indivisos ad proximum conservat affectus: iste ut columba et turtur, Abraham ex praecepto Domini dividente vaccam et capram, atque arietem, et ponente utrasque partes altrinsecus nullam recipti sectionem. Sit ergo proximi ad proximum individua communionis affectio, sic tamen ut nunquam sit ibi assensus in malo. Sic diligatur proximus, ne laudetur in desideriis animae suae. Quicunque peccatorem in hoc diligit, proximum bene odit. Nam sicut praediximus, non est proximi vera dilectio, si non fundetur et firmetur in Christo. Christus equidem ipse est communionis nostrae vinculum, firmans inter nos Spiritus unitatem in vinculo pacis. Et qui juxta verbum Job, facit pacem in sublimibus suis, ipse est pax nostra, quae fecit utraque unum. Consilio itaque Beati Petri mutuam in nobismetipsis caritatem studeamus habere, quam sincera benevolentia foveat, quam simulatio non adumbret, nec suspicio interrumpat. Hanc hominum cordibus Christus imprimit et exemplo confirmat. Hoc est, inquit, praeceptum meum, ut diligatis invicem, sicut dilexi vos. Petrus Blenensis, De Caritate Dei et Proximi, Cap. XXXVI Source: Migne PL 207.935b-c

What is contrary shares not in this fount, in this sacred communion. For avarice or cupidity, or whatever is opposed to the Christian Faith, is divisive. He who shares in the gifts of God, preserves an indivisible affection with his neighbour. This is as the dove and turtle dove which were not divided when Abraham by the command of the Lord divided the cow and goat, and the the billy goat, and placed the two halves on opposite sides. 1 So therefore as the inseparablilty of neighbour to neighbour is the communion of love, so never, however, is there agreement in evil here. In this way let a neighbour be loved, lest he is praised in the desires of his own soul. 2 Whoever loves a sinner like this, truly hates his neighbour. For as we have said, it is not true love of a neighbour, if it is not founded on and fixed fast in Christ. Certainly Christ is our common bond, the Spirit strengthening unity between us in the bond of peace. 3 And He who, according to the word of Job, makes peace in His heights, 4 is He who is our peace, which makes two one. 5 Thus by the counsel of the blessed Peter we should strive to have mutual love for one another, which is fervid with sincere benevolence, 6 which is shadowed by no lie, nor troubled by suspicion. Christ imprints this on the hearts of men, and by his example confirms it. He says: 'This is my command, that you love one another as I have loved you.' 7 Peter of Blois, On Love Of God And One's Neighbour, Chap 36 1 Gen 15.9-11 2 Ps 9.24 3 Ephes 4.3 4 Job 25.2 5 Ephes 2.14 6 1 Pet 1.22 7 Jn 13.34