To the editor:
Dave Kuhle pointed out (Catholic Herald Mailbag, February 3 issue) that Christ’s commandment to love one’s neighbor was not new because, under God’s direction, Moses prescribed this same commandment in the Old Testament book of Leviticus Lv 19:18. This is true as far as it goes, but misleading, because Christ spelled this out in detail, which was new.
Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well, etc. (Lk 6:27-35).
Christ demonstrated how radically He observed this commandment when He offered no resistance to legalized murder at the instigation of His enemies. An ordeal that Moses never had to meet.
Joseph Fogerty, Madison