Pope: "Love your neighbour with a pure and generous heart"

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
16 Sep 2009

"Jesus did not come to teach a philosophy but to show us a way, indeed, the way that leads to life," said Benedict XVI during the Angelus on September 13th.

Taking his cue from the Gospel of the day, the Pope recalled how faith itself is dead if it is not followed by deeds. Every believer, therefore, is called to testify in practice the teachings of Jesus, who by his very existence has shown us that only love can change the world.

"If you love your neighbour with a pure and generous heart," explained the Pope, "it means that you really know God." However, "if you say you have faith but do not love your brothers, then you are not a true believer. God does not dwell in you."

On the eve of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows, "we learn from the Virgin Mary," Benedict XVI concluded, "to witness our faith with a life of humble service, ready to pay in person, to remain faithful to the Gospel of charity and truth, and certain that nothing we do is lost."