Anthony (d. 356), one of the original Egyptian monastics leaders, said:

“Our life and our death are with our neighbor. If we do good to our neighbor, we do good to God. If we cause our neighbor to stumble, we sin against Christ.” (Sayings of the Desert Fathers)

Empathy. Compassion. Hospitality. Solidarity with the struggle and well-being of my neighbor. Doing good.

Martin Luther, a Reformer in the 15th century, said:

“God does not need our good works, but our neighbor does.” (Wingren, Luther on Vocation, 10)

This is what the story of Christianity teaches us. This is how genuine Christian faith processes things.

This is what genuine Christian faith is concerned about, not the Christian’s self, but the Christian’s neighbor.

May our faith be genuine.

May we do good.