St Claude Homilies

8/13/2019 St Claude Homilies

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TAKEN FROM THE SERVANT OF THE SACRED HEART

Fr. George O'Neill, S.J.

With Nihil Obstat an Imprimatur , !"##

THE KINDNESS OF JESUS TO SINNERS(1274, 1275, 1283)

I DO not see that thee !s an" s!nne !n the #ho$e %os&e$ sto" #ho #as 'oht to

e&entan*e othe#!se than '" +!nness an '" 'ene-!ts. O /o e# to H!0se$- St.

atthe#, a**haes an othe &'$!*ans '" !n!t!n H!0se$- to eat #!th the0 an sho#!n

that He ! not s&n the! *o0&an", ---- n$!+e the ha!sees #ho teate the0 as !n-a0os

&esons. He #on the heat o- aa$en ---- not '" seee e&oa*hes, 't '" &e0!tt!n he to

a# nea to H!0, &a!s!n #hat #as &a!se#oth" !n he a*t!on, ta+!n & he e-ense

aa!nst the es&e*ta'$e &eo&$e #ho0 she s*ana$!e. 6n" othe 't Jess #o$ hae

&onon*e aa!nst the #o0an ta+en !n a$te" the senten*e o- eath #!tten !n the /a# 'tHe sae he '" a 0!a*$e He o'$!e the es an the a**ses to et!e, an, #hen she

stoo a$one, He sa!9 :;o0an, has no one, then, *one0ne thee<: :No one, /o,: she

ans#ee. :Ne!the, then, #!$$ I *one0n thee. %o no# an s!n no 0oe.: He ! not &t to

sha0e the Sa0a!tan #o0an '" at on*e e*a$$!n to he #hat He +ne# *on*en!n he s!n-$

$!-e He =!et$" #on he to 0a+e he o#n *on-ess!on a-te that -!st ste& He so a!ne on he

that she a0!tte ee"th!n, e*on!e H!0 -o #hat He #as an 0ae H!0 +no#n to a$$

that *!t" o- Sa0a!a. ;hat ! He not o to #!n 'a*+ Jas< Ee"th!n, e>*e&t to *on-on

o enon*e h!0 o s&ea+ to h!0 hash$". He sho#e h!0 *$ea$" that He +ne# o- h!s *!0e,

't s&o+e so that the othes ! not nestan He #ashe h!s -eet an #!&e the0, He

s--ee the ta!to to +!ss H!0, He *a$$e h!0 :F!en:, He *a$$e h!0 '" h!s na0e, He

ttee no #o o- '!tteness o ane. To 0oe ete to e&entan*e He #as *ontent #!th a$oo+ an !t #as not a $oo+ that st*+ teo, 't a $oo+ -$$ o- teneness an a--e*t!on.

F!na$$", to *on=e the o'st!na*" o- Tho0as, He too+ the o't!n 6&ost$e?s han an ent$"

&$a*e !t !n the #on o- H!s &!e*e s!e.

I-, #hen %o see+s to *onet s, He #ee st!!n -o so0e !nteest o aantae o- H!s

O#n, I sho$ not 'e s&!se at H!s a*t!n #!th s*h e>te0e 0oeat!on an *$e0en*" 't

s!n*e H!s ea$ has no othe en than to #!tha# s -o0 s!n an eath, #e 0a" #e$$ #one

that He a*ts so e$!*ate$" an so &at!ent$" s&aes s an "!e$s to s. ;hen a -athe sees h!s

*h!$ !n ane o- eath '" o#n!n o '" -!e, he oes not *ons!e #hethe he se!es h!0

'" the -oot o '" the han, #hethe he as h!0 !nto sa-et" '" h!s *$othes o '" h!s ha!,

#hethe he hts h!0 o not, &o!e on$" he *an es*e h!0 -o0 that e>te0e &e!$. @t

%o see0s to hae *ons!eat!on -o o #ea+ness een !n the e>te0!t" o- o anes He

st!es o h0o, !n*$!nat!on, !s&os!t!on, een o &ass!ons an 'a ha'!ts, !n oe to se!e

an a# s !n the #a" that #!$$ &a!n s $east. To the 0an that $oes a!n He o--es the

teases o- Heaen to the 0!se He sests the te!'$e &oet" !n #h!*h he #!$$ -!n

h!0se$- !n the ne>t $!-e to the ota" o- &$eases He !ns!nates the &ea*e-$ o"s o- a $!-e -ee

-o0 !$t, -o0 e0ose an -o0 the #a-ae o- the &ass!ons to one #ho sh!n+s -o0

s--e!n an &a!n He e*a$$s the en$ess s--e!ns o- the $ost to one #ho !s o- a--e*t!onate

an ate-$ !s&os!t!on He e*a$$s H!s 'ene-!ts ---- the '$ess!ns that He has !en, !s !!n,

an &o&oses !n -te to !e.

@t !- th!s e$!*a*" an !nen!t" o- "o /o !n a#!n "o to H!0 has not &o#e-$$"

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st*+ "o, at $east "o *annot hae -a!$e to not!*e H!s *onstan*", H!s &eseean*e -o

se$" #e hae, 0ost o- s, stane$" t!e an &oe !tA ;ee thee not $on &e!os !n

#h!*h "o hea 't #o$ not een $!sten to H!s o!*e< I- "o $!stene, ho# $on ! "o

not e$!'eate as to #hethe an ho# -a "o #o$ "!e$ to H!s ent an $o!n !n!tat!onsA

;hen at $enth "o #ee &esae that !t #as 'est -o "o to !e "ose$- #ho$$" to H!0,

ho# 0an" 'att$es #ee st!$$ e=!e !n oe to !n*e "o #!$$, "o heat, to -o$$o# the$!ht o- "o 0!nA Ho# 0an" e$a"s, #hat *o0&o0!ses, #hat &o0!ses 0ae an 'o+en,

#hat oo eso$t!ons n-$-!$$e, #hat es!stan*es an -a!$es !n the #o+ o- !!n H!0

#hat He as+e o- "oA

Encouragement for the Prodigal

O 0" %o, Th" $oe has 'een &oo- aa!nst th!s $on, th!s !ns$t!n es!stan*eA It ! not

o# *o$ Tho hast *ont!ne to &se 0e, to *a$$ 0e, to enteat 0e, to *he!sh 0e. :;ho

+no#s,: Tho oth see0 to hae sa! to Th"se$-, :#hethe that heat #!$$ not at $enth $et

!tse$- 'e so-tene, a-te ha!n 'een so $on o'ate< I see that !t #!$$ not 'e soon I see thatthe eso$t!ons o- toa" #!$$ not 'e +e&t 'ette than the eso$t!ons o- s!> 0onths ao that

to0oo# an to0oo# #!$$ st!$$ 'e the ate o- !ts *ones!on 't &eha&s a$so !- I *ont!ne

to &se, at $enth !t #!$$ *ease to -$" -o0 0e. 1 %$a$" #o$ I see !t !ne th!s 0o0ent 't

I &e-e to #a!t -o !t a $on t!0e athe than to $ose !t -o ee.:

%o hates s!n #!th a +!n o- !n-!n!te hate, an the so$ sta!ne #!th s!n ne*essa!$" '!ns

on !tse$- so0eth!n o- that hate. Bet %o oes not *ease to $oe s*h a so$, to e>ten to !t

H!s a0s, to o--e !t the +!ss o- &ea*e, to &se !t as !- !t #ee so0eth!n &e-e*t$" 'eat!-$.

:;ho0 o "o &se, O +!n o- Isae$<: sa! Da! $on ao to Sa$, an #e 0!ht #e$$

e&eat #hat he sa! to that D!!ne $oe that *on*ens !tse$- so #!th s. : Quem persequeris?Canem mortuum persequeris?: 6-te #ho0 ost Tho n, O K!n o- Heaen an eath.

Tho at &s!n a !$e *eate that, -a -o0 ese!n Th!ne a--e*t!on, !s not #oth een

Th!ne ane, an 0!ht #e$$ *ase Thee 0ee$" -ee$!ns o- !sst. 6n #e, ea Ch!st!ans,

-o0 ;ho0 o #e -$"< ;hat *an #e 0ean '" es&!s!n th!s /oe, t!-$!n so $on #!th H!s

&at!en*e, e-s!n the -!ensh!& an n!on that He o--es an es &on s< ;e +no# ;ho

!t !s that !s *a$$!n s !n the e&ths o- o so$s, an "et #e ae not a-a! to a$$o# the aste

o- the Un!ese to *o0e an +no*+ at o oos, to +ee& H!0 #a!t!n so $on #!thot

e!n!n to o&en o to ans#e. ;hat oht I to #one at 0ost, O 0" %o, Th" &at!en*e o

o o'st!na*", Th" $oe o o haness o- heat< ;hat #!$$ 'e the *on-s!on o- s*h an

nate-$ an aa*!os so$, #henee Tho oth o&en !ts e"es ho# sha$$ !t ae to a&&ea

!n Th" &esen*e a-te ha!n so teate Thee< 6n !- #e hae the *oae to &esentose$es, #!$$ the 6$0!ht" e!n to e*e!e s< Bes, 0" 'ethen, so $on as th!s $!-e $asts

He #!$$ not -a!$ to e*e!e the s!nne, !- on$", a-te h!s $on #ane!ns, he #!$$ etn

e&entant to h!s t" an a$$e!an*e. Na" I sa" 0oe9 that D!!ne $oe #h!*h !0&e$$e o

%o to &se s !n o -$!ht, $eas H!0 a$so to ant!*!&ate an 0eet s on o etn, an to

eo!*e #!th an e>tao!na" o" #hen He on*e 0oe *$as&s s !n H!s a0s.

Insens!'$e, se$", !s the s!nne #ho0 s*h &at!en*e, s*h !n$en*e, s*h $oe oes not

a# to e&entan*e. @t 0oe nha&&" st!$$ !s the s!nne #ho e-es e&entan*e an es!sts the

D!!ne /oe st 'e*ase !t !s #a!t!n -o h!0 #!th so 0*h &at!en*e #ho oes not as+ -o

&aon st 'e*ase %o !s a$#a"s ea" to ant !t #ho !s e!$ 'e*ase %o !s oo #ho

s!ns eas!$" 'e*ase He -o!es eas!$" #ho !s #!$$!n to !s&$ease 'e*ase He !s so n#!$$!n

to &n!sh.

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O /o, e!n to &e-e*t !n ea*h o- s the #o+ o- Th!ne !n-!n!te 0e*"A Do not &e0!t !t to

'e*o0e ht-$ to s o se$ess to s o not $et s 'e $ost !n the e" o*ean o- Th"

eneos!t"A %ant that the !n-!n!te $oe Tho hast -o the s!nne 0a" *o0&e$ h!0 to -ee$ an

a$0ost !n-!n!te hate -o s!n *o0&e$ h!0 to $oe Thee *hane$ess$" on eath that he 0a"

*o0e to $oe Thee *hane$ess$" !n HeaenA

1. an" o- these !eas hae 'een ane# an 'eat!-$$" e>&esse !n the &oet" o- Fan*!s

Tho0&son?s :Hon o- Heaen:.

NO 6N C6N SERE T;O 6STERS

(1173117, 11811183)

6S thee ae 't -e# Ch!st!ans #ho as&!e to &e-e*t san*t!t", so o't$ess thee ae not

0an" #ho &o&ose to s&en the! $!es !n *o0&$ete e-!an*e o- %o?s *o00an0ents. Theeat 0ao!t" see0 to es!e a 0!$e *ose 'et#een these t#o e>te0es. The" #!sh to

e*on*!$e #!th!n the0se$es *ons*!en*e #!th *on*&!s*en*e, so0e eee o- &!et" #!th so0e

!n$en*e o- the! &ass!ons. 6$$o# to one &eson a0'$!n, to anothe an!t" !n ess, to

anothe a *ana$ atta*h0ent #h!*h !s aneos thoh not a'so$te$" *!0!na$ then the" #!$$

!e the est to %o #!thot 0*h !--!*$t". Thee ae those #ho es!e to 'e oo

Catho$!*s, 't ae e" an>!os to $!e e>tena$$" $!+e those #ho ae not oo, to ho$ the

estee0 o- oo an 'a at on*e, to &ass as eot a0on the eot an as #o$$"

a0onst the #o$$" #ho, #h!$e the" &o-ess a hoo o- s!n, "et $!e, an that #!$$!n$", !n

*onstant o**as!on o- s!n. Bo -!n oo #o+s on the one han an -!o$os !ss!&at!on on

the othe ass an Ho$" Co00n!on, -o$$o#e '" $on hos at o't-$ enteta!n0ents. 6

0an !s *oe*t !n h!s ot#a 'eha!o, 't has $!tt$e *ae to e&ess s!ns o- e!$ thoht anes!e. 6 #o0an &!es hese$- on 'e!n a'oe the ea*h o- s*ana$, "et she +no#s e" #e$$

that she 0a+es hese$- an o**as!on o- s!n -o othes. Bo ae not so !shonest as to ta+e an

+ee& #hat *$ea$" 'e$ons to othes 't &eha&s "o s&en so 0*h on "ose$- that "o

hae noth!n $e-t to !e to the &oo. Bo e-a!n -o0 *a$0n!os an 0!s*h!eos ta$+!n,

't "o #!$$!n$" $!sten to !t. Bo #o$ hate to 'e eene-$, 't "o *annot '!n "ose$-

to $oe those #ho hae !ne "o. $a*e !n an o--!*!a$ &os!t!on, "o +ee& *$ea o- $a!n

!nst!*es 't thee ae *eta!n ha$-0eases, *eta!n a**o00oat!ons that "o a$$o#

"ose$- to &a*t!*e. 6s a 0an o- 's!ness, "o *annot 'e a**se o- !shonest" 't "o ae

#ho$$" eote to a00on, "o hae no thoht o- o!n oo #!th "o ene", "o t!0e,

o "o 0one". Bo ae at the hea o- a -a0!$", an "o o not !e 'a tea*h!n o 'a

e>a0&$es, 't "o &a" no hee to the e$!!os an 0oa$ ta!n!n o- "o *h!$en "oe>&ose the! so$s to se!os ane -o the sa+e o- #o$$" aantaes.

In s*h !s&os!t!ons, !t #o$ see0, too 0an" &eo&$e $!e the" ae #!$$!n to !e so0eth!n

to the s&!!t an so0eth!n to the -$esh to $!e as Ch!st!ans, 't $>!os$" to &$ease %o

#!thot !s&$eas!n 0en !n shot, the" #ant to ho$ on a *ose #h!*h the %os&e$ oes not

e*on!e ---- one e=a$$" e0oe -o0 the 'oa #a" that $eas to &e!t!on an the nao#

#a" that $eas to $!-e to '!$ a *!t" ha$-#a" 'et#een Jesa$e0 an @a'"$on ---- a *!t" !n

#h!*h se$-$oe an $oe o- %o #!$$ shae #ea$th, &o#e an honos. Th!s !s #hat #e 0a"

#e$$ *a$$ se!n t#o 0astes. No# o /o #ans s that that atte0&t !s a a!n one, an that

"o #!$$ not s**ee !n &$eas!n e!the 0aste. %o !s not sat!s-!e #!th ha$t9 He as+s -o a$$,

an the #o$ !s ee as+!n -o 0oe than "o ae !!n to !t.

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Christians Aspire to Perfect Virtues

Bo o not -oet, 0" 'ethen, #hat #as the eee o- !te to #h!*h o D!!ne aste

'ae H!s -o$$o#es as&!e. He e=!e that o !tes sho$ s&ass those o- the #!sest an

'est &aans, those een o- the 0ost o'seant Je#s. The &aans hae at!te, He sa"s the"

$oe those #ho sho# $oe to the0 't I as+ so0eth!n 0oe o- " !s*!&$es9 I e=!e the0

to $oe those #ho hate the0. The 0ost easona'$e o- the %ent!$es &a! e=a$ attent!on to the

st" o- #!so0 an the *ae o- the! #o$$" #e$$'e!n th!s #as 0*h -o the0 't -o

Ch!st!ans !t !s noth!n the *ae o- the! sa$at!on 0st 'e -o the0 the one th!n ne*essa"

to 'e so$!*!tos a'ot the eath$" $!-e o- to0oo# !s to !s+ sa*!-!*!n one?s so$ to the *aes

o- the 'o". F!na$$", the ha!sees an o*tos o- the $a# 0ae eat &o-ess!on o- !te,

e>a*tness an &!htness 't :"o st!*e:, sa! o /o to H!s heaes, :0st 'e 0oe

a'nant than the!s, e$se "o sha$$ not ente !nto the K!no0 o- Heaen.: To 'e *ontent

#!th 0e!o*!t" !s not to sat!s-" %o9 #e 0st, !n o /o?s #os, st!e to :'e &e-e*t,

een as o heaen$" Fathe !s &e-e*t.: No# &e-e*t!on, ho$!ness, a'oe a$$ that ho$!ness o-

%o H!0se$- #h!*h !s &t 'e-oe s, !n*$es ee"th!n !t !s an asse0'$ae o- a$$ !tes, aho$o*ast o- a$$ that !s -a$t", a sene o- the #ho$e 0an &e-e*t!on *eases to 'e !tse$- !-

an"th!n !s he$ 'a*+.

Th!s o*t!ne !s *on-!0e '" the s&e*!a$ *o00an0ents that %o has $a! &on s, an

&at!*$a$" '" the -!st an 0ost !0&otant o- a$$ that, na0e$", #h!*h eas o $oe -o

H!0. :Bo sha$$ $oe e,: sa"s the /o, :#!th a$$ "o heat, #!th a$$ "o so$, #!th a$$

"o stenth an #!th a$$ "o 0!n.: In othe #os a$$ "o e$!'eate thohts, #os,

a--e*t!ons an a*t!ons 0st 'e *onse*ate to e.1

External Piety must Complete Internal

6s e>tena$ &a*t!*es o- &!et" #!thot !ntena$ eot!on ae o- no aa!$, so ne!the #!$$ !t

s--!*e to hono %o !nte!o$", !- #e o not *onse*ate to H!0 a$so o ot#a *on*t. The

ea$" Ch!st!ans *o$ hae es*a&e totes an eath !- the" ha -on !t !n the!

*ons*!en*es to #osh!& %o se*et$" !n the! heats #h!$e e>tena$$" the" o--ee a -e# a!ns

o- !n*ense to an !o$. @t no the" -e$t the0se$es 'on, ne &a!n o- etena$ a0nat!on, to

s--e the 0ost *e$ to0ents athe than &e-o0 that e>tena$ a*t o- !o$at". ;hatee

*onte0&t those Ch!st!ans 0a" hae -e$t -o J&!te o ens, ho#ee the" 0a" hae

!ntene to 0o*+ the0 '" th!s -o0a$ ho0ae, "et s*h ho0ae #o$ hae a#n on the0

the ane o- %o He, $oo+!n on the heat 'e-oe a$$ e$se, "et #o$ not 'e sat!s-!e n$ess

the e>tena$ *on*t *oes&one #!th the sent!0ents o- the heat. Ho#, then, *an #e st!-"Ch!st!ans #ho 'e$!ee that, -o -ea o- e>*!t!n the !!*$e o !s-ao o- the #o$, the"

0a" o on o!n st as the #o$$" o -o$$o#!n the *o# as to the! 'eha!o, *o0&an",

a0se0ents, ess, $anae ta$+!n o- e$!!os 0attes as the" +no# the" oht not to Go

a*t!n an s&ea+!n as !- thee #ee no s*h th!n as e$!!on to 'e ta+en !nto *ons!eat!on<

The World an Exacting aster

Bo ae #!$$!n to !e ha$- to %o, ha$- to the #o$. S&&os!n -o a 0o0ent that %o #ee

to 'e sat!s-!e #!th s*h a !!s!on, o "o th!n+ the #o$ #!$$ 'e< ;!$$ not t!0es *o0e

#hen !t #!$$ as+ o- "o not &at 't ee"th!n< ;!$$ not o**as!ons a!se #hen !t !s a =est!ono- &$eas!n 0en on the one han an o- ao!!n o#n!ht 0ota$ s!n on the othe< ;hat

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then #!$$ "o o< ;!$$ "o at s*h a *!s!s 'e ston enoh to ta0&$e ne -oot h0an

es&e*t< 6 Sa!nt #o$ hae that stenth 't #hat o- one #ho has o#n !nto the ha'!t o-

n#oth" *ones*ens!ons, the &a*t!*e o- &$eas!n h0an o&!n!on at an" *ost< ;!$$ he *o0e

ot !*to, o 0a" #e not athe e>&e*t -o0 s*h a Ch!st!an s*h *on*t as that o- ont!s

!$ate< That t!0! e, =!te a'$e to e*on!e the !nno*en*e o- the !sone 'oht 'e-oe

h!0 an the host!$e &ass!on that ae aa!nst H!0, t!e to ao! *one0n!n the a**se#!thot aos!n the ane o- the a**ses. So #e see h!0 enae !n a se!es o- 0!sea'$e

e>&e!ents. He sens Ch!st to 'e e '" Heo, on the &etense that Ch!st #as the

s'e*t o- Heo 't th!s at!-!*e -a!$s an the 'then o- e*!s!on !s aa!n $e-t on h!s hans.

No#, !- he *one0ns Ch!st to eath, he !n*s the !$t o- an eno0os !nst!*e !- he sens

h!0 a#a" a*=!tte, he !n*s the ane o- the #ho$e s"naoe. He t!es aa!n a 0!$e

*ose9 He #!$$ s&ae the Sa!o?s $!-e, 't he #!$$ !sa*e an tote H!0. :I #!$$ *hast!se

H!0 an sen H!0 a#a",: he sa"s. So he !n-$!*ts on the !nno*ent !*t!0 the 'a'aos *e$t"

o- the s*o!n. @t th!s !s -a -o0 at!-"!n the en0!t" o- the *h!e- &!ests an the

ha!sees. The" !ns!st that the an the" hate !s ese!n o- **!-!>!on, an that He 0st 'e

senten*e to noth!n $ess. Then !$ate t!es "et anothe s'te-e. He #!$$ not e*$ae Ch!st

!nno*ent, 't #!$$ ao! &onon*!n H!s *one0nat!on he #!$$ -!n the 0eans !n theesta'$!she *sto0 o- e$eas!n one *!0!na$ na0e '" the &eo&$e at the -est!a$ o- the

assoe. @t hee aa!n he !s !sa&&o!nte. Ho# h!s *o#a$" an *oo+e &o$!*" tte$"

-a!$s, ho# !t '!ns !ts *ont!e to a *!0e to *!0e, en!n !n the '$a*+est o- a$$

*on*e!a'$e *!0esA !$ate ants at $ast a$$ that !s *$a0oe -o he *one0ns to an

!no0!n!os eath the Son o- %o, !n s&!te o- a$$ D!!ne an h0an $a#s, !n s&!te o- the

!s!ons an -eas an #an!ns o- h!s #!-e, !n s&!te o- the e&oa*hes o- h!s o#n *ons*!en*e.

!ur Ceaseless Inde"tedness to #od

O 0en #ho nata$$" $oe eason an st!*e, 0en #ho 'oast that "o ae st to#as a$$0en, #!$$ "o not then 'e st to#as "o %o< Bo #ho hate !nat!te an *a$$ !t

n&aona'$e !n othes, #!$$ "o 'e a$#a"s nate-$ to H!0< He has !en "o a$$, the

#o$ has !en "o noth!n, "et "o ae sat!s-!e to hono e=a$$" the one an the othe, to

!!e "o a$$e!an*e an "o se!*es 'et#een the0. ;hat hae "o that "o hae not

e*e!e -o0 %o< O athe $et 0e as+, #hat !s thee that %o has not !en to "o<

;!thot esee He has !en to "o H!0se$- @t "o e-se to H!0 a &at o- "o heat ----

o- that &oo nao# heat o- "os. Bo e-se to H!0 a &at o- the $!tt$e s&an o- t!0e o-

#h!*h "o ae at $!'et" to !s&ose. No#, !- "o *an -!n a s!n$e a", an ho, a 0o0ent !n

#h!*h %o !s not th!n+!n o- "o, &o!!n -o "o, #o+!n -o "o, !n "o an #!th "o,

then I #!$$ a$$o# that "o too 0a" !nte&t the se!*e "o o#e to H!0. @t !- !n -a*t He !s

etena$$" eote to s&&ot!n "o, !!n "o, &o!!n -o "o nees, #h" sho$ "oee *ease to e*on!e #hat He !s o!n -o "o<

I- %o teate "o as "o teat H!0, #o$ "o not 'e the 0ost nha&&" o- *eates< I-, as

"o &aon on$" so0e !n!es, He &aone on$" so0e o- "o s!ns !-, as "o ae *ontent not

to ta+e enean*e on "o ene0!es, #!thot eso$!n to o oo to the0, He $!+e#!se #ee

to e-se "o a*ta$ a*es, a-te He ha estoe "o to H!s san*t!-"!n a*e, #hat #o$

'e*o0e o- "o< I- "o eso$e to ao! ae s!ns, 't ta+e no &a!ns to ao! en!a$ ones,

then !- %o on H!s s!e #ee to !e "o 'ae$" ne*essa" he$&s, 't not H!s 0oe e--!*a*!os

a*es, #hat #o$ 'e*o0e o- "o< I #!$$ at!-", "o #!$$ sa", 0" s!ht !n a s!n-$ 0anne,

#h!$e esta!n!n the othe senses #hat !- %o #ee to e&!e "o o- s!ht, #h!$e $ea!n

"o "o othe senses< Ha #e t!0e #!thot en an -a*$t!es o- !n-!n!te &o#e, these #o$

not s--!*e -o ene!n to %o a$$ that #e o#e to H!0 #e hae !n -a*t 't a 0o0ent o- t!0e

5



an a 'eath o- $!-e #e hae a $!0!te 0!n, $!0!te &o#es o- $oe an o- a*t!on "et #e #!$$

not !e ha$- o- these to 0a+e H!0 the etn that !s H!s e.

@t, !- an" s*h !!s!on 'et#een %o an the #o$ !s nst, #hat sha$$ #e sa" o- those

#ho e*e the shae !en to %o to a$0ost noth!n9 #ho, o- a$$ the thohts an 0o0ents

o- a a" o--e H!0 'ae$" the -!st -e# #ho, o- a$$ the a"s o- the #ee+, 0a+ ot -o H!0on$" Sna", an #ho, o- the #ho$e Sna", !e H!0 &eha&s on$" so 0*h t!0e as s--!*es

-o hea!n one shot ass< ;hat sha$$ #e sa" o- those #ho th!n+ the" hae one enoh -o

%o, !- a-te s&en!n a "ea !n the 's!ness an &$eases o- the #o$ the" *o0e at Easte

t!0e to !e so0e &oo- o- the! 'e!n Ch!st!ans< ;hat, -!na$$", o- those #ho esee to H!0

the $ast "eas o een the $ast hos o- the! $!es< Can s*h Ch!st!ans sa" that the" $oe %o

#!th the! #ho$e heat, the! #ho$e so$, the! #ho$e stenth an the! #ho$e 0!n< 6$as, He

as+s -o noth!n $ess than a$$, an these &eo&$e th!n+ He *an 'e sat!s-!e #!th a$0ost noth!nA

O 0" %o, !- Tho #et !nee so to 'e sat!s-!e, "et #o$ not I 'e sat!s-!e n$ess I ae

0"se$- to Thee #!thot esee. I es!e hen*e-oth to !e 0"se$- to Thee #ho$$"A I a0

#!$$!n to see H!0 ;ho !s the /o o- a$$ *eat!on9 I #!$$ not 'e the s$ae o- a s$ae. Th""o+e !s s#eet an Th" 'en $!ht. Tho !est a$$ that Tho e>a*ts, Tho a**o0&$!sheth '"

Th" a*e a$$ that Tho ost *o00an so that, 0an!-!*ent as ae Th" e#as, !t !s a$#a"s

Th" O#n !-ts that Tho ost *o#n !n s. 6n not on$" ost Tho 0a+e eas" the o!n o-

Th" #!$$, 't Tho een oeth the #!$$ o- those #ho o'e" Thee. E!the Tho !eth #hat

&$eases the0 o Tho 0a+eth &$eas!n to the0 #hat Tho !eth. Hee !nee !s a se!*e ----

the on$" se!*e ---- that a!ses s a'oe a$$ the 0!se!es o- the #o$ an a'oe a$$ the

anes o- the #o$ a se!*e that 0a+es s shaes !n the $!'et" o- %o H!0se$-. /et s

then $oe, 0" ea 'ethen, th!s s#eet "o+e an th!s $o!os se!te $et s !e ose$es

#!thot an" esee to the so$e aste ;ho has a !ht to *$a!0 o se!*es. :To see %o

!s to e!n:, een !n th!s $!-e, an !t 0a+es s se*e o- a e!n that sha$$ $ast #!thot -ea o-

*hane.

1. The @$esse C$ae oes not e=!e, o- *ose, an a*ta$ *onse*at!on at ea*h 0o0ent9 a

!ta$ o ha'!ta$ !ntent!on s--!*es. No oes he, !n an" &at o- th!s !s*ose, 0ean to

*one0n a easona'$e so$!*!te a'ot o o#n te0&oa$ *on*ens o the a--a!s o- othes ----

a so$!*!te that 0a" so0et!0es 'e a 0atte o- ae o'$!at!on. He 0eans that a$$ 0st 'e

e-ee to %o '" o 'e!n !n the state o- a*e, '" &e !ntent!on, an '" e 0oeat!on

o- es!es an a*t!!t!es.

RUDENCE IN ETERN6/ 6FF6IRS

(111114)

;HEN an" 's!ness a!ses !n o $!es that #e e to 'e o- the t0ost *onse=en*e -o o

te0&oa$ !nteests, o #e not o-ten th!n+ oe !t, an !n -a*t, nt!$ !t !s !s&ose o-, -!n !t

!--!*$t to th!n+ o- an"th!n e$se< Do #e not e>a0!ne ee" 0eans that 0a" ena'$e s to

a!e at a ha&&" *on*$s!on, an, 'es!es s!n o o#n 'a!ns, see+ to o'ta!n $!ht -o0

othes an to a*t '" the a!*e o- the 0ost s+!$$-$ an e>&e!en*e< 6n a-te #e hae

*ons!ee an *o0&ae the a!os 0eans that see0 s!ta'$e to '!n s to the &o&ose

en, an hae -!>e o *ho!*e a0on the0, ae #e ee so -oo$!sh as to &e-e +no#!n$"

an e$!'eate$" the #ea+est 0eans to the 0oe e--!*a*!os, the 0ost ona'ot to the

shotest, the 0ost aneos to the sa-est an sest< Se$" notA



" 'ethen, #hen, a-te 0a+!n th!s e-$e*t!on, I *ast 0" e"es &on the *on*t 0a!nta!ne

'" the 0ao!t" o- Ch!st!ans !n the a--a! o- the! sa$at!on, I -ee$ a0ae. :No,: I sa" to

0"se$-: asse$" these &eo&$e hae no not!on o- the !0&otan*e o- th!s a--a! the" o not

een !ht$" +no# #hat !t 0eans.: 6n *an !t 'e en!e that thee ae on$" too 0an" #ho

!n the! #ho$e $!es hae ha$" !en to !t a se!os thoht< I- the" #ee enae !n a

$a#s!t, the" #o$ th!n+ o- !t at !s!n, at 'et!0e, na", !n the! s$ee&, !n the!0ea$s, the! a0se0ents, the! &a"es. 6$as, 0an" #ho ae not n'e$!ees ha$" !e to the

's!ness o- sa$at!on een those !$e an s&ae 0o0ents !n #h!*h the" ae $e-t #!th noth!n

e$se to o o to th!n+ a'ot. The" sho# no *on*en o an>!et" a'ot th!s 's!ness the" -!n

no $e!se to th!n+ o- the a--a!s o- the! so$s.

That 'e!n so, !t !s not stane that so $!tt$e to'$e !s ta+en to see+ *onse$ an $!ht a'ot

those sa0e a--a!s. I- 0en #!$$ not *ons$t een the0se$es, *an #e e>&e*t the0 to *ons$t

he$&-$ 'oo+s o *on-essos< Then aa!n, !t !s te that 0en *annot ao! so0et!0es #e!h!n

an *o0&a!n the #a"s an 0eans that $ea to Heaen o a#a" -o0 !t 't !s th!s one !n

oe to ta+e those that ae sa-est an sest< NoA Hee #e see so0eth!n e>tao!na" that !s

not -on !n an" othe +!n o- 's!ness0en e$!'eat!n not to -!n the 'est #a"s, 't atheho# to ente &on the 0ost n*eta!n an aneos. Can one 'e I sae !n $!!n !n the

#o$ a**o!n to the #a"s o- the #o$, as #e$$ as !n +ee&!n a$oo- -o0 the #o$<

Ret!e0ent -o0 !t, enn*!at!on o- !t, !s a sa-e, sta!ht an eas" #a" to $!e !n the #o$ !s

-$$ o- anes, !t !s 0ost !--!*$t to $!e thee as Ch!st!ans 't #hen #e see that !t !s not

!0&oss!'$e, that !s enoh -o s #e as+ no 0oe. Can one -e=ent a$$ the a0se0ents an

!ss!&at!ons o- the #o$ an*es, theates an a$$ the est, #!thot -a$$!n !nto 0ota$ s!n< I- !t

!s &oss!'$e, !t !s on$" '" ha!'eath es*a&es, s*h as #o$ 'e those o- a esse$ #!thot sa!$s

o he$0 $e-t to !-t a0! #!ns an #aes. @t that sat!s-!es s, an on s*h a *han*e as that,

#e e>&ose ose$es as *on-!ent$" as !- #e #ee =!te se*e aa!nst an" !saste. 6 0an

#ho !n an" othe +!n o- 's!ness #o$ $a"ot h!s $!-e !n s*h a -ash!on #o$ 'e $oo+e

&on as tte$" a's an -oo$!sh.

6a!n, #hen one !s enae !n an a--a! o- so0e !0&otan*e, one oes not ta+e & an

0anae othe a--a!s o- s0a$$ !0&otan*e #!thot *ons!e!n the! &oss!'$e !nte-een*e #!th

the 0a!n *on*en that he has at heat. 6 0an #ho !s a!0!n at -!>!n h!0se$- !n an !0&otant

an $*at!e &ost not on$" has that &&ose *onstant$" !n h!s 0!n, 't e$ates a$$ h!s

*o0!ns an o!ns, h!s st!es, !s!ts, a0se0ents, h!s e" 0ea$s an h!s s$ee&, #!th an e"e

to the! !n-$en*e -o oo o e!$ on that one 0atte that he th!n+s s&e0e$" !0&otant. I- #e

ea$$" nestoo an ha -!0$" -!>e !n o 0!ns #hat the a--a! o- o sa$at!on !s, sho$

#e not a*t !n the sa0e #a"< ;o$ not th!s 0atte o- s&e0e !0&otan*e ente !nto a$$ o

e$!'eat!ons #o$ not the !nteests o- o so$s 'e the &!0e 0ot!e o- o ete0!nat!ons#o$ the" not ho$ s 'a*+, o e s on, !n a$$ sots o- s!tat!ons< Is !t so that 0en a*t, 0"

'ethen< Is !t so that #e a*t ose$es< 6s eas the *ho!*e o- a state o- $!-e, -o e>a0&$e,

-o ose$es o -o "on &eo&$e #ho e&en &on s, !s !t %o?s #!$$, !s !t the so$?s etena$

!nteests, that ae *ons!ee -oe0ost an a'oe a$$< Ho# o-ten hae #e sa! #!th St.

6$o"s!s9 :Quid hoc ad aeternitatem?: :;hat has th!s to o #!th eten!t"<:

It !s *$ea, then, that %o has 'esto#e on s !n a!n the !-t o- eason, !- #e o not se !t -o

a!n!n Heaen ---- the one -!na$ en that %o !ntene !n !!n !t to s. GIt !s !n a!n that

He has !en s t!0e ---- hos, a"s, #ee+s an "eas ---- !- #e e0&$o" none o- !t o too

$!tt$e o- !t !n the one 's!ness that !s o- !0&otan*e -o s. ;o$ !t 'e too 0*h to as+ that

#e sho$ !e a =ate o- an ho a!$" to *ons!e o s&!!ta$ *on!t!on----

to ta+ethoht *on*en!n the e!$s that ho$ s 'a*+, the anes that theaten s !n the -te, the

7



0eans that #e ae to ta+e, the 0!sta+es #e ae to ao! ---- as+!n se!os$" that =est!on

as+e $on ao o- O /o9 :;hat a0 I to o that I 0a" hae etena$ $!-e<: G6n, aa!n,

#o$ !t 'e too 0*h to as+ that #e sho$ eote to the sa0e !nest!at!on an the sa0e

!n=!" a -e# a"s o- ea*h "ea<

6TIENCE OF THE HE6RT OF JESUS(1718)

/ET s ente !nto the Heat o- the Son o- %o an *ons!e ho# !t !s !s&ose as eas H!s

ene0!es. Cons!e !ts 0ee+ness an h0!$!t". Noth!n that He enes -o0 H!s &ese*tos

&eents H!s o!n st!*e ---- to sa" the $east ---- to the0 He e*on!es that the" ae a*t!n

!n e>te0e !noan*e an, thoh !n tth en", h0an es&e*t, se$-!nteest, hate, &!e,

!nst!*e 0!n$e !n the 0ot!es that e the0 on, st!$$ the +!n$!ness o- H!s heat *ases H!0

to #e$$ on ee"th!n that !0!n!shes the a!t" o- the! s!n athe than on #hat 0a" ene

the0 0oe !$t". Ho# o-ten hae #e o**as!on to 'ehae !n the sa0e 0anne to#as those#ho o--en o !ne sA ;e oht to see ho# 0*h 0oe o- thoht$essness, o- !noan*e,

than o- 0a$!*e thee !s !n the *on*t that anno"s s #e oht to 0a+e a$$o#an*es !n so0e

-o a nata$$" hast" !s&os!t!on, !n othes -o the anno"an*es an e0'!tte0ents the" hae

the0se$es to ene, !n othes, -o 0!sta+es an a!os nata$ e-e*ts. @t a$as, !nstea o-

ths e>*s!n o ne!h'o, #e o the *onta" #e e>aeate s0a$$ 0attes !nto *!0es an

oss !nst!*es. ;e 0a+e 0*h o- !n!es #h!*h, !- !t #ee the *ase o- so0e othe &eson,

#e sho$ teat as noth!n. ;hen thee ae 0an" ons -o st!-"!n, o at $east e>*s!n,

the #os o ees o- o ne!h'o, #e see+ ot the $east -aoa'$e !nte&etat!on an &e-e

to #e$$ on that. ;e ae at!-!e '" the 0!s-otnes o- those #ho0 #e ea as o

&ese*tos #e !e# #!th eet the! s**ess an &os&e!t". ;hat #ea+ness o- so$ a$$ th!s

sho#sA ;hat eason to -ee$ asha0e o- ose$es #hen #e !e #a" to s*h n#oth" an0!sea'$e thohts an a*t!ons. Is not th!s to 'ehae $!+e neason!n an!0a$s< T$", 0"

%o, !- Tho #et to e s !n s*h a s&!!t, #e sho$ 'e $ost.

@t, as -o o D!!ne /o, not on$" !s He st to a$$ those #ho ae nst o *e$ to H!0,

't He eas the0 #!th a &o-on &!t" He e&$oes the! '$!nness an the e!$s the" ae

'!n!n on the0se$es He $a0ents #!th teas9 :Oh, that tho hast +no#n the th!ns that ae

-o th" &ea*eA ---- 't no# the" a$$ ae h!en -o0 thee.: He as+s the0 to #ee& oe the!

o#n 0!s-otnes athe than H!s9 :;ee& not -o 0e, 't -o "ose$es an "o *h!$en.:

He &a"s -o H!s ene0!es, s--es -o the0, o--es H!s @$oo to sae the0 an H!s &a"e

an sa*!-!*e 'ea -!t. Fo a0onst those #ho #ee *onete '" the -!st &ea*h!n o- the

6&ost$es #ee those !$t" ones.:Th!s 0an:, sa! St. ete !n h!s se0on on the a" o- ente*ost, :"o hae **!-!e an

s$a!n '" the hans o- s!nnes. Bo hae ee*te the st an ho$" one "o hae as+e that a

0ee sho$ 'e !en oe to "o 't the 6tho o- $!-e "o hae s$a!n.: :6n that a"

thee #ee ae to the Ch*h thee thosan so$s.:

Ho# ha&&" -o s !- #e *o$ ths sae o ene0!es '" o &a"es #hat a t!0&h !n

Heaen -o s, #hat ee$ast!n at!te on the! &atA ;e *an !0a!ne ho# the '$esse

s&!!ts -ee$ to#as the -!ens #hose &a"es an ea$ #!$$ hae 'oht the0 !nto Heaen

't ho# -a 0oe !ntense 0st 'e the ate-$ a--e*t!on the" -ee$ #hen the" +no# that the"

o#e the! etena$ '$!ss to the eneos &a"es o- so$s #ho0 the" hae &ese*teA

GS*h ae the $essons !en to s '" the Sa*e Heat o- o s--e!n /o. :/ean o- e,:

8



He sa"s, :not to *eate the #o$, not to '!n !nto 'e!n a$$ th!ns !s!'$e an !n!s!'$e, 't

that I a0 0ee+ an h0'$e o- heat.: GSo St. 6st!ne e>&ans -o s *eta!n 0e0oa'$e

#os o- the %os&e$. To $ean that eat $esson $et s o to s*hoo$ to that D!!ne Heat,

es&e*!a$$" !n the ho$" t!0e o- /ent an the ass!on $et s st!e to ente !nto It, a'!e

thee, st" Its 0oe0ents, an $ean to *on-o0 the 0oe0ents o- o o#n heats to Its

e>a0&$e.

Bes, D!!ne /o, I #!sh to #e$$ !n Th" heat, an thee to $ose #hatee o- a$$ an

'!tteness thee !s !n 0!ne -o !n the $oe an s#eetness o- Th!ne a$$ that #!$$ 'e =!*+$"

*ons0e. I #!$$ st" &e-e*t &at!en*e !n that eteat thee I #!$$ e>e*!se 0"se$- !n s!$en*e,

es!nat!on to Th" D!!ne #!$$, an !n!n*!'$e *onstan*". I #!$$ $ean ho# to than+ Thee -o

the *osses Tho sens 0e, an to as+ Th" '$ess!ns on an" &eson that anno"s o !nes 0e.

To a*=!e Th" s&!!t o- &at!en*e an 0ee+ness, Th" -o!!n $oe, !s not the #o+ o- one

a" 't #!th Th" he$& !t *an 'e a!ne at $ast. Tho !st &a" -o Th" &ese*tos. O 0ost

$o!n Jess Tho #!$t not e-se Th" he$& to a so$ that es!es to $oe Thee I es!e ee to$oe the *oss, to $oe 0" ene0!es, -o $oe o- Thee. 60en.

ON THE S6CRIFICE OF THE 6SS(48152)

ORE hono !s &a! to %o '" a s!n$e ass than '" a$$ othe a*t!ons o- 6ne$s an 0en,

een the 0ost -eent o heo!*. Bet ho# 0an" ae atta*te to ass '" the !ntent!on o-

ene!n to %o an hono so e>tao!na"< 6e thee 0an" #ho e-$e*t #!th &$ease on the

$o" that the 6$0!ht" e*e!es -o0 th!s sa*!-!*e, #ho eo!*e at ha!n !t !n the! &o#e to

hono %o a**o!n to H!s eatness an H!s esets #ho !e than+s to o D!!ne /o-o ha!n, #h!$e He a'o$!she the an*!ent sa*!-!*es, $e-t s a !*t!0 &o&ot!one to the

'ene-!ts #e nee, a !*t!0 s--!*!ent to e--a*e a$$ the s!ns o- 0en<1

I- 0" o#n oo #o+s ae #ea+, !0&e-e*t, na", so0et!0es sta!ne #!th en!a$ s!n st!$$

#hen I o--e & the aoa'$e sa*!-!*e o- the ass, then, O 0" %o, I *an 'e -$$ o- *oae

an *on-!en*e, I *an *ha$$ene heaen !tse$- to &e-o0 an" a*t!on 0oe &$eas!n to Thee.

Ha&&" a thosan t!0es ae Ch!st!ans, !- the" 't +ne# ho# to 0a+e &o-!t o- the!

aantaesA @t 0st #e not a0!t that #e o-ten o not een th!n+ o- the oo th!ns #e

eno" o 0!ht eno" #e o not een e!n to &t o han !nto the teas" that Jess Ch!st

has $e-t o&en -o s<

;!th #hat !ntent!ons o #e *o0e to ass, #!th #hat -eo an e*o$$e*t!on o #e ass!st at

!t< Do "o *o0e thoh h0an es&e*t, thoh *sto0, Gst to ao! 0ota$ s!n on a

Sna" o ho$!a", an not at a$$ on othe a"s, thoh "o #e$$ 0!ht< Do "o a$$o#

"ose$- !n ass to 'e *a!e a#a" '" !$e thohts, +ee&!n no *onto$ o- "o e"es

an "o attent!on<

Hae "o, then, noth!n to than+ %o -o< Hae "o *ont!ne to than+ H!0 s--!*!ent$", as

#a0$" as He esees< Ta+e *ae $est '" !nat!te "o " & the -onta!n o- H!s

'ene-!*en*e to#as "o, $est He !et to so0e 0oe ate-$ e*!&!ent the '$ess!ns He

!ntene -o "o.

To o**&" "ose$- !n ass, en0eate !n "o heat a$$ the D!!ne 'ene-!ts "o hae

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e*e!e so 0an" anes aete, so 0an" s!ns -o!en, so *ae-$ a o!en*e #at*h!n

oe "o -o0 '!th to th!s a", se*!n "o so 0an" te0&oa$ an (st!$$ 0oe) s&!!ta$

aantaes @a&t!s0, the +no#$ee o- %o?s $a# an %o?s #!$$ !n "o ea so 0an"

a*es a#!n "o a#a" -o0 e!$, a#!n "o to#as %o. Een the 'ene-!ts o- one

s!n$e a" ---- o the" not 0e!t "o n"!n at!te, ae the" not enoh to o**&" "o

!n the t!0e o- ass< ;hen "o hae #e$t on the0, sa" 'o$$" to the Etena$ Fathe9 :O/o, I see ho# 0*h I hae e*e!e -o0 Th" 'ont" 't $oo+ &on th!s !*t!0, th!s

D!!ne @o", th!s &e*!os @$oo, th!s Sa*!-!*e o- !n-!n!te a$e th!s !s 0" o--e!n !n etn

-o so 0an" 'ene-!ts. I -ee$ *on-!ent that thoh !t I a0 &esent!n a #oth" etn -o Th"

eneos!t". @t aa!n, O aoa'$e /o, #hat than+s *an I ene to Thee -o ha!n &$a*e at

0" !s&osa$ so 0ae$os an o--e!n<

Bo sa", ea Ch!st!an, that "o -!n !t ha to o**&" "ose$- !n ass. Is thee, then,

noth!n that "o nee< Is thee noth!n that t!es "o &at!en*e< Jess Ch!st, !n ass,

&$a*es H!0se$- !n o hans, as !- a *o!n o- !n-!n!te a$e that *an &*hase ee"th!n that !s

oo an es!a'$e, ee"th!n, no 0atte ho# &e*!os, that #e as+ !n H!s na0e.

Hae "o not o--ene %o, o "o not o--en H!0 a!$"< Th!n+ o- those -a$ts, th!n+ o-

the0 soo#-$$", an as+ o- %o to &aon the0 '" the !te o- th!s a$$ho$" Sa*!-!*e.

:;!thot the Sa*!-!*e o- the ass:, sa"s a ho$" o*to, :the #o$ #o$ hae 'een

esto"e '" the D!!ne st!*e 0an" t!0es the ass esta!ns the a0 o- the D!!ne

enean*e.: That !s #h" the e0on eneaos to e&!e s o- the ass '" the e--ots o-

heet!*s Gan o- 0en #ho hate %o -o he sees that 0an+!n #o$ &e!sh ha !t not th!s

'$#a+ to o&&ose to the o--ene st!*e o- %o. It !s -oeshao#e '" the &o&het Dan!e$

that 6nt!*h!st sha$$ a'o$!sh the :&e&eta$ sa*!-!*e: at the en o- the aes9 Et ro"ur datum

est ei contra $uge sacrificium propter peccata% In a**oan*e #!th th!s, the at" St.

H!&&o$"ts !s =ote '" St. Jeo0e as sa"!n that !n the $ast a"s the Ch*h sha$$ 'e !n

ee&est 0on!n, 'e*ase the Ho$" Sa*!-!*e sha$$ *ease to 'e o--ee, the @o" an @$oo

o- Ch!st sha$$ not 'e on the a$tas then sha$$ the #o$ *o0e to an en an !ts 0ent

'e!n. @t the $ast *a$a0!t!es sha$$ not o** so $on as the s&ot$ess /a0' sha$$ 'e o--ee on

o a$tas.

Why do &e 'eglect the ass?

Stane, then, !t !s that the /o *annot -!$$ H!s te0&$es #!thot s!n a sot o- !o$en*e,

#!thot !ss!n *o00ans an &e*e&ts, as !- the &o-!t #e *an a# -o0 the sa*!-!*es

o--ee & to H!0 #ee not enoh to e s to o!n !n o--e!n !t. @t 0en o not +no# o-

!ts &!*e$ess a$e an thee-oe ne$e*t !t an *an an" !noan*e 'e 0oe e&$oa'$e< O !s !tthat the eat n0'e o- asses that ae o--ee a$$ oe the #o$ 0a+es s th!n+ 0oe

$!ht$" o- th!s 0"ste", an that the e" $!'ea$!t" o- %o has the e--e*t o- 0a+!n s the

0oe nate-$<

In the ass the Sa!o 0a+es H!0se$- not on$" o Inte*esso #!th H!s Fathe, as+!n -o s,

thoh H!s 0e!ts, #hatee !s 'ene-!*!a$ -o s 't, -the0oe, He o--es H!s @$oo an

H!s /!-e as a &a"0ent -o #hat #e as+. ;hat, then, *an 'e so a$a'$e as not to -a$$ 'e$o# the

a$e o- th!s &!*e that Bo o--e< ;h", then, o 0en $a0ent an *o0&$a!n ---- one, o- h!s

te0&oa$ 0!se!es, anothe o- h!s s&!!ta$< ;h" o &ass!ons t"ann!e oe s, e!$ ha'!ts

en*ha!n s, e!$ !0a!nat!ons $ea s !nto s!n< ;hen*e the o0!n!on e>e*!se '" ane,

!e-, es&a!< ;hen*e o !na'!$!t" to *e the e!$ ha'!ts o- othes ---- those #ho ae ea to

s, those on #ho0 o o#n ha&&!ness e&ens< Te$$ 0e, hae "o as+e -o that a*e, that

1



-ao at ass< Ho# 0an" t!0es hae "o o--ee ass -o that !ntent!on< Can "o &esae

0e that #hen "o o--ee to %o so no'$e a &!*e, He has e-se "o a !-t so 0*h $ess

a$a'$e, that He has not e the @$oo an the /!-e o- H!s Son #oth the a*e, the

!te, the te0&oa$ oo that "o $one to o'ta!n, #hethe -o "ose$- o -o anothe< No I

*annot 'e$!ee !t, an !t see0s !0&oss!'$e that "o sho$ 'e$!ee !t. The ea$ o'sta*$e 0st

'e that "o ae not eae to ass!st -e=ent$" at ass an that #hen that 0ost &e*!oso&&otn!t" !s "os, "o ne$e*t to e&esent eanest$" to %o "o 0!se!es an nees an to

'e eanest$" o- H!0 the 0e*!es that "o es!e.

1. The @$esse C$ae *on-!nes h!0se$- !n the -o$$o#!n e0a+s to the aantaes to 'e

a!ne -o0 eot ass!stan*e at ass. 6$$ that he sa"s a&&$!es, o-ten #!th stone -o*e, to

the asses that #e *ase to 'e o--ee & '" a &!est -o o !ntent!ons.

UN@OUNDED CONFIDENCE IN %OD

(128, 134, 135137)

EN enae the0se$es to s !n a!os 0annes, #hethe to o so0eth!n o to !e

so0eth!n9 the" &$ee so0eth!n ---- the! hono !n a s!0&$e &o0!se, the! *ons*!en*e !n a

so$e0n oath, the! &o&et" !n tan!'$e se*!t!es, -!na$$" the! e" $!'et" an $!es !n a

sene o- the! o#n &esons nt!$ s*h t!0e as the" sha$$ eee0 the! &o0!se. In a$$ these

#a"s %o Gan H!s Son o Sa!o Jess Ch!st hae 'on The0se$es to s ---- 'on

The0se$es to ass!st s !n a$$ o nees, to &ote*t s !n a$$ o anes, to ant s a$$ that #e

sha$$ e>&e*t an as+ -o0 The! 'ont". @t I 0a!nta!n, 0" 'ethen, that, een #ee th!s not

so, the 0ee -a*t o- o *on-!en*e !n %o !s a s--!*!ent$" ston eason to enae H!0 to s

!n these a!os #a"s. Thee ae t#o easons to &esae s o- th!s. The -!st !s that #e *annot

&a" a h!he hono to %o than #hen #e e>&e*t a$$ 0anne o- oo -o0 H!0 the se*on,

that %o *annot !sa&&o!nt s*h an e>&e*tat!on on o &at #!thot !shono!n H!0se$-.

The -!st eason see0s *$ea$" e>&esse !n #os s&o+en '" %o thoh the $!&s o- the

sa$0!st9 :Ca$$ &on e !n the a" o- t!'$at!on, sa!th the /o I #!$$ e$!e thee, an tho

sha$t $o!-" e.: Ho# sha$$ #e $o!-" the 6$0!ht"< ;e sha$$ $o!-" H!0 '" o tst !n

H!09 #e sha$$ !e H!0 the e" h!hest hono '" 'e$!e!n -!0$" that He !s tth-$ !n H!s

#os, en$!htene as to o nees, tene an *o0&ass!onate to#as o #ants, &o#e-$ to

e>e*te !n o -ao #ones s&ass!n the &o#e o- *eates, #!se to a**o0&$!sh H!s ens

'" ent$e an eas" #a"s n+no#n to h0an &en*e, -a!th-$ !n *o0!n to o a!,

&o0&t$", *onstant$" an n#ea!e$", eneos !n H!s 'esto#a$ o- #hat #e &a" -o, an, !n-!ne, so 0e*!-$ that o s!ns o not aest the o#n-$o# &on s o- H!s 0e*!es. 6$$

Ch!st!ans ae s&&ose to 'e$!ee !n the tth o- these &o&os!t!ons 't se$" thee !s an

!00ense !--een*e !n the -!0ness an !ntens!t" #!th #h!*h the" ae he$ an ea$!e '"

one so$ an '" anotheA

6 0an ea$$" -$$ o- *on-!en*e !n %o 'e$!ees the0 so that the! !n-$en*e !s *onstant$"

0an!-este !n h!s *on*t. On h!s 'e$!e- he !s &e&ae to !s+ ee"th!n o athe he has no

sense o- an" !s+ #h!$e he $oo+s to %o as h!s s&&ot, e-e an stenth. In the &a"e

taht s '" o /o #e aess %o as O Fathe !t !s eas" an *o00on -o s so to

!no+e H!0 't o #e se the #os #!th attent!on, #!th a -$$ a**e&tan*e o- #hat the"

s!n!-"< To *onsent to e&en !n ee" s!tat!on on H!s &atena$ o!en*e, to a#a!t H!she$&, een !n the 0ost t"!n s!tat!ons, to e$" &on H!s &o0!ses -a 0oe than &on an"

1



h0an he$&, to s$ee&, so to s&ea+, !n H!s a0s !n the 0!st o- the 0ost !o$ent sto0s ---- th!s

!s to hae a te -a!th !n %o as O Fathe, th!s !s to 'e$!ee !n %o #!th a -a!th *on-o0a'$e

to H!s !n-!n!te eatness.

The se*on eason #h" o *on-!en*e !n %o '!ns H!0 so ston$" to s !s that !t #o$ 'e

!shonoa'$e to %o H!0se$- !- He #ee to -a$$ shot !n H!s $!'ea$!t" o- #hat o *on-!en*ehas $e s to e>&e*t -o0 H!0. That the *on-!ent tst o- a *eate sho$ hae s&asse

the eneos!t" o- the 6$$o#e-$, that a h0an *eate sho$ -!n the D!!ne ooness

-a$$!n shot !n e--e*t o- #hat he ha s&&ose !t to 'e #o$ not th!s 'e a sta!n on the na0e

o- the ost H!h #o$ !t not 'e so0eth!n !n*on*e!a'$e !n %o< So 0*h so that #e -!n

the Fathes o- the Ch*h tea*h!n that o ho&e !s the 0ease o- the a*es #e e*e!e -o0

the D!!ne Teas". St. Tho0as sa"s that ho&e !s -o s the &!n*!&$e o- !0&etat!on st as

*ha!t" !s the &!n*!&$e o- 0e!t9 !n othe #os, as #e 0e!t !n &o&ot!on to the *ha!t" that

!ns&!es o a*t!ons, so #e o'ta!n -aos !n &o&ot!on to the *on-!en*e that !ns&!es o

&et!t!ons. 6n st!$$ 0oe nota'$e !s the sent!0ent o- St. %eo" Na!anen, na0e$", that to

ee" so$ that has &a"e %o !s enae '" at!te to !e !n etn #hat has 'een as+e

-o Go e$se so0e !-t 0oe ea$$" es!a'$e that !t !s not so 0*h a -ao He 'esto#s as ana*+no#$e0ent o- a -ao He has e*e!e.?1 Ho#, then, *o$ th!s oo Fathe s--e a

*h!$ #ho honos H!0 so h!h$" to 'e *on-one ho# *an He e-se s H!s &ote*t!on #hen

#e *annot 'ette $o!-" H!0 than '" as+!n -o H!s &ote*t!on<

O 0" %o, so asse o I -ee$ that Tho ost #at*h oe those #ho ho&e !n The an that

noth!n *an 'e $a*+!n to those #ho e>&e*t ee"th!n -o0 Thee, that I a0 eso$e to $!e

!n -te #!thot an>!et" an to est the 'then o- 0" *aes &on Thee. :In &ea*e I #!$$ $!e

o#n an -a$$ as$ee& at on*e 'e*ase Tho, O /o, a$one hast set 0e & !n ho&e.: /et othes

e>&e*t the! ha&&!ness -o0 the! #ea$th o the! ta$ents $et othes &$a*e the! e$!an*e on the

&!t" o- the! $!es, on the see!t" o- the! &enan*e, o the a'nan*e o- the! a$0s, o the

n0'e an eot!on o- the! &a"es Tho, O /o, a$one hast set 0e & !n ho&e the e"

so*e o- 0" *on-!en*e !s 0" *on-!en*e an that *on-!en*e has e*e!e no one so the

!ns&!e #!te has asse s9 :No one has ho&e !n the /o an 'een *on-one.: I a0,

then, asse that I sha$$ 'e etena$$" ha&&", s!n*e I hae a -!0 ho&e that I sha$$ 'e so, #!th a

ho&e oote !n the ooness o- %o. I +no#, an, a$as, !t !s 't too te, that I a0 -a!$ an

!n*onstant. I +no# #hat !s the &o#e o- te0&tat!ons aa!nst the 0ost see0!n$" so$! !te I

hae seen -a$$ the stas o- heaen an the &!$$as o- the -!0a0ent 't een these -a$$s *annot

te!-" 0e so $on as I sha$$ ho&e, *a$a0!t" sha$$ not oeta+e 0e an I a0 se o- ho&!n

a$#a"s, 'e*ase I +ee& on ho&!n that that ho&e #!$$ 'e ante to 0e '" Th" 'on$ess

$!'ea$!t". In a #o, I a0 ee&$" *on!n*e that I *annot ho&e too *on-!ent$" !n Th"

ooness, an that #hat I sha$$ o'ta!n -o0 Thee #!$$ a$#a"s 'e 0oe an eate than #hat Isha$$ hae ho&e. I ho&e, then, that Tho #!$t ho$ 0e 'a*+ -o0 the 0ost aneos

&e*!&!*es, e-en 0e aa!nst the 0ost -!os assa$ts an ena'$e 0" #ea+ness to t!0&h

oe the 0ost &o#e-$ ene0!es I ho&e that Tho #!$t $oe 0e a$#a"s, an that I on 0" &at

#!$$ $oe Thee on #!thot !n-!e$!t"9 I ho&e, *o#n!n a$$ 0" ho&es, to o'ta!n Th"se$- -o0

Th"se$- O 0" Ceato, -o t!0e an -o eten!t".

6EN.

1. Cum a (ea "eneficium petitur) "eneficia affici se putat%

1

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