"A faith that is not rooted in love brings about catastrophic consequences, because it is reduced to an arbitrary subjectivism which is extremely noxious to us and to our brothers." This is what the Pope said in today’s general audience focusing again on the Pauline doctrine of justification and in particular on "the consequences of being justified by faith." In particular, Benedict XVI warned against some "misinterpretations" of the justification theory, which had made the Corinthian community believe that "it was right to create divisions within the Church, to celebrate the Eucharist without caring for our brothers in need, and to long for the best charisma without realizing we are all members of the same body." "Is there any point in celebrating the Lord in our liturgy," asked the Holy Father, "if we do not serve our brothers and if our faith does not find its expression in charity?" "The centrality of justification without works" the main object of St Paul’s teaching explained Benedict XVI is not in contradiction with a faith that operates in love." On the contrary, "justified by the gift of our faith in Christ, we are called to live in Christ’s love for our neighbour, because it is on this criterion that we will be judged at the end of our existence". (continued)
