Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 8121

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8121. But charity towards the neighbour is far wider in scope than helping the poor and needy. Charity towards the neighbour involves doing what is right in every task, and doing what is required in any official position. If a judge administers justice for the sake of justice he exercises charity towards the neighbour; and if he punishes the guilty and acquits the innocent he exercises charity towards the neighbour. For in so doing he shows concern for his fellow citizen; he shows concern for his country, and also for the Lord's kingdom. He shows concern for the Lord's kingdom in his administration of justice for the sake of justice, he shows concern for his fellow citizen in his acquittal of the innocent, and he shows concern for his country in his punishment of the guilty. The priest who teaches truth and leads to good for the sake of truth and good exercises charity; but the one who does so for selfish and worldly reasons does not exercise charity because he does not love his neighbour, only himself.


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