February 24


Dealing with One’s Neighbor

[In dealing with one’s neighbor one must] be kind to all, flattering to none, familiar with a few, [and] just to all … I pray [to] God that He makes me very similar to our Lord Jesus Christ in all my works and dealing with others (OOCC, X, p. 611; STA, 212).

St. Vincent Pallotti took great care that his dealings with his neighbors were cordial and genuine, yet balanced. He practiced a few simple rules in order to make such a relationship possible. He was kind to everyone who came into his life. He never deliberately hurt or wronged any person. He was always concerned about the wellbeing of his neighbor. While he was kind to every person he encountered, he flattered no one. He never attempted to please anyone in order to derive something for his own advantage. Similarly, St. Vincent maintained a relationship of familiarity with only a few. For he knew that such deeper and closer relationships of confidentiality and cordiality cannot be sustained with many. He was just in his dealings with all. He gave everyone his due and never claimed for himself more than what he deserved. As St. Vincent related to his neighbor in this manner, he constantly prayed that he might be similar to Jesus Christ in his dealings with his neighbor.

How do I relate to my neighbor? While relating to others in genuineness and cordiality, do I maintain a sense of balance? Am I, like St. Vincent, kind to all, flattering none, familiar with a few and just to all? Am I like Christ in my dealings with others?

If you love your neighbor as much as you love yourself you will not want to harm him or cheat him … Love does no wrong to anyone. That’s why it fully satisfies all of God’s requirements. It is the only law you need. (Rom. 13: 9-10)