[Regarding God's command that we love or neighbor] The bearing with imperfections of our neighbor is one of the principal points of this love: Our Lord, Who had a heart so gentle towards us and loved us so dearly, showed this to us on the Cross; to us, I say, and even to those who caused His death, and were in the act of the most enormous sin that man could ever commit. For the sin that the Jews committed was a monster of wickedness; and nevertheless, our sweet Savior had thoughts of love for them, giving us an example quite beyond imagination, in excusing those who were crucifying and insulting Him with a most barbarous rage; and seeking out inventions to obtain from His Father their pardon even in the act of sin and injury. O how miserable we are, we worldly people! For hardly can we forget an injury that has been done to us, long after we received it. Yet he who meets his neighbor with the benedictions of sweetness is the most perfect imitator of Our Lord.