Love of enemies in the light of the sermons to the people by st. Caesarius of Arles

Bishop Caesarius of Arles went down in Church history as a zealous pastor who instructed his faithful on the essential truths of faith and morality through sermons, which in those days were a primary means of evangelization. However, the moral subject matter of his sermons, which is most prominent, is more than just simple admonitions or exhortations. He sought to present imperatives, prohibitions and incentives as elements of moral perfection, which is possible to realize, and which guarantees salvation. A telling example is Christ's command to love enemies, which is shown by Caesarius in the Sermons to the people primarily as a measure of Christian morality. The fulfillment of this command, whose fruits are the remission of sins, the conversion of neighbors, and personal salvation, is possible in all circumstances, and is a matter of a free decision of a person. The love of enemies was practiced by biblical characters (Jacob, Joseph, David, Job, Stephen); it is also to be found in the attitude of God towards sinners. In the long run, following this command of Christ means first of all fostering a love for God, which was restored to man by Christ through the Holy Spirit, and which is “the mother of all good works” (Sermo 39, 5)