13. When is our love 'imperfect'?
Our love is imperfect when we love God chiefly because we expect good things from Him.
Example: The Prodigal Son: 'How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger! I will arise, and will go to my father' (Luke xv. 17, 18).
14. By what means is the love of God increased and perfected in us?
1. By frequently and worthily receiving the Holy Sacraments; 2. By meditating on the goodness and mercy of God, especially on the bitter Passion and Death of Jesus Christ; 3. By self-denial, and patience in afflictions; and 4. By performing good works.
15. How is the love of God lessened and banished?
By mortal sin the love of God is banished from our hearts, and by venial sin its fervor is lessened.
Application. Exercise yourself assiduously in the love of God by these means: Often think of Him, and often pray to Him; delight in hearing and speaking of Him, do and suffer everything for His sake, and fear nothing so much as to offend Him.
§ 2. On the Love of our Neighbor.
16. Whom must we particularly love after God?
Our neighbor; i.e., all men without exception.
17. Is it not enough if we love God?
No: for, 'If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar' (1 John iv. 20).
18. Why must we love our neighbor?
1. Because Christ our Lord commands us to love him, and by the fulfilment of this Commandment, He will know His true disciples; 2. Because He Himself in His life and death taught us so by His example; and 3. Because every one is a child and an image of God, was
