Charity and Philanthropy

A response to: Pope: Charity Is More Than Philanthropy

May I add my "Amen" to the Pontiff's message on the meaning of Christian charity, or love, compared to philanthropy, a secular version of brotherly love (phileo) for mankind (anthropos). In contrast, Jesus told his followers, then and now, to mimic him in practicing his love (agapao), the ultimate sacrificial and unconditional love concerned not merely with the transient worldly needs of the poor, but the far more important eternal destinies of the lost multitudes. We all must be fishers of men, in Jesus' words. Or as someone aptly observed: Shepherds of the flock do not make sheep, sheep do -- through our actions, deeds and words.

Herman Rutner