In the First Epistle of St. John, (First John) the beloved disciple of Christ wrote:
"In hoc apparuit caritas Dei in nobis quoniam Filium suum unigenitum misit Deus in mundum ut vivamus per eum" (Vulgate, 1 John 4:9); which is to say, "In this way, the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him."
First John was written, or so scholars deduce, to combat an early heresy concerning Christ's incarnation: to set clearly that Jesus was true man and true God. Including the above citation, the phrase "Caritas Dei" is used only 5 times in the Holy Scriptures - four times in First John and one time by St. Paul in Romans. Because of the infrequency of this phrase, we can reasonably hold an importance to each:
"But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to live (just) as he lived." 1 John 2:5-6
"If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him?" 1 John 3:17
"In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him." 1 John 4:9
"For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith." 1 John 5:3-4
"[A]nd hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:5
Look at how simply and elegantly these five verses lays out our Catholic Faith.
