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ed and we experience intensely what it is to be a
people, to be part of a people.
271.âIt is true that in our dealings with the
world, we are told to give reasons for our hope,
but not as an enemy who critiques and condemns.
We are told quite clearly: âdo so with gentleness
and reverenceâ (
1 Pet
3:15) and âif possible, so
far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with
allâ (
Rom
12:18). We are also told to overcome
âevil with goodâ (
Rom
12:21) and to âwork for
the good of allâ (
Gal
6:10). Far from trying to
appear better than others, we should âin humili-
ty count others betterâ than ourselves (
Phil
2:3).
The Lordâs apostles themselves enjoyed âfavour
with all the peopleâ (
Acts
2:47; 4:21, 33; 5:13).
Clearly Jesus does not want us to be grandees
who look down upon others, but men and wom-
en of the people. This is not an idea of the
Pope, or one pastoral option among others; they
are injunctions contained in the word of God
which are so clear, direct and convincing
that
they need no interpretations which might dimin-
ish their power to challenge us. Let us live them
sine glossa
, without commentaries. By so doing we
will know the missionary joy of sharing life with
Godâs faithful people as we strive to light a fire in
the heart of the world.
272.âLoving others is a spiritual force drawing
us to union with God; indeed, one who does
not love others âwalks in the darknessâ (
1 Jn
2:11), âremains in deathâ (
1 Jn
3:14) and âdoes