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PL 46 937-938

ON THE SERMON on the MOUNT, Bk.I,1-11  

Chap. i. 1. If any one will piously and soberly consider the sermon which our Lord Jesus Christ spoke on the mount, as we read it in the Gospel according to Matthew, I think that he will find in it, so far as regards the highest morals, a perfect standard of the Christian life: and this we do not rashly venture to promise, but gather it from the very words of the Lord Himself. For the sermon itself is brought to a close in such a way, that it is clear there are in it all the precepts which go to mould the life.

CAPUT PRIMUM. 1. Sermonem quem locutus est Dominus noster Jesus Christus in monte, sicut in Evangelio secundum Matthaeum legimus, si quis pie sobrieque consideraverit, puto quod inveniet in eo, quantum ad mores optimos pertinet, perfectum vitae  christianae modum: quod polliceri non temere audemus, sed ex ipsis ejusdem Domini verbis conjicientes. Nam sic ipse sermo concluditur, ut appareat in eo praecepta esse omnia quae ad informandam vitam pertinent.

For He speaks thus: “Therefore, whosoever hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that hears these words of mine, and does not do them, I will liken to a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Since, therefore, He has not simply said, “Whosoever heareth my words,” but has made an addition, saying, “Whosoever hears these words of mine,”

Sic enim dicit: «Omnis ergo qui audit  verba mea haec et facit ea, similabo eum viro sapienti qui aedificavit domum suam supra petram: descendit pluvia, venerunt flumina, flaverunt venti, et offenderunt in domum illam, et non cecidit; fundata enim erat super petram. Et omnis qui audit verba mea haec et non facit ea, similabo eum viro stulto qui aedificavit domum suam super arenam: descendit pluvia, venerunt flumina, flaverunt venti, et offenderunt in domum illam, et cecidit; et facta est ruina ejus magna.» Cum ergo non dixit, qui audit verba mea tantum, sed addidit dicens, qui audit verba mea haec;

He has sufficiently indicated, as I think, that these sayings which He uttered on the mount so perfectly guide the life of those who may be willing to live according to them, that they may justly be compared to one building upon a rock. I have said this merely that it may be clear that the sermon before us is perfect in all the precepts by which the Christian life is moulded; for as regards this particular section a more careful treatment will be given in its own place.

satis, ut arbitror, significavit, haec verba quae in monte locutus est, tam perfecte instruere vitam eorum qui voluerint secundum ea vivere, ut merito comparentur aedificanti super petram. Hoc dixi, ut appareat istum sermonem omnibus praeceptis quibus christiana vita informatur, esse perfectum: nam de hoc capitulo diligentius suo loco tractabitur.

2. The beginning, then, of this sermon is introduced as follows: “And when He saw the great multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him: and He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying.” If it is asked what the “mountain” means, it may well be understood as meaning the greater precepts of righteousness; for there were lesser ones which were given to the Jews.

2. Hujus igitur sermonis initium sic assumitur: Cum vidisset autem turbas multas, ascendit in montem, et cum sedisset, accesserunt ad eum discipuli ejus; et aperiens os suum docebat eos, dicens. Si quaeritur quid significet mons, bene intelligitur significare majora praecepta justitiae; quia minora erant quae Judaeis data sunt.

Yet it is one God who, through His holy prophets and servants, according to a thoroughly arranged distribution of times, gave the lesser precepts to a people who as yet required to be bound by fear; and who, through His Son, gave the greater ones to a people whom it had now become suitable to set free by love. Moreover, when the lesser are given to the lesser, and the greater to the greater, they are given by Him who alone knows how to present to the human race the medicine suited to the occasion.

Unus tamen Deus per sanctos Prophetas et famulos suos, secundum ordinatissimam distributionem temporum, dedit minora praecepta populo quem adhuc timore alligari oportebat; et per Filium suum, majora populo quem charitate jam liberari convenerat. Cum autem minora minoribus, majora majoribus dantur, ab eo dantur qui solus novit congruentem suis temporibus generi humano exhibere medicinam.

Nor is it surprising that the greater precepts are given for the kingdom of heaven, and the lesser for an earthly kingdom, by that one and the same God who made heaven and earth. With respect, therefore, to that righteousness which is the greater, it is said through the prophet, “Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God:” and this may well mean that the one Master alone fit to teach matters of so great importance teaches on a mountain. Then He teaches sitting, as behooves the dignity of the instructor’s office; and His disciples come to Him, in order that they might be nearer in body for hearing His words, as they also approached in spirit to fulfil His precepts. “And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying.” The circumlocution before us, which runs, “And He opened His mouth,” perhaps gracefully intimates by the mere pause that the sermon will be somewhat longer than usual, unless, perchance, it should not be without meaning, that now He is said to have opened His own mouth, whereas under the old law He was accustomed to open the mouths of the prophets.

Nec mirum est quod dantur praecepta majora propter regnum coelorum , et minora data sunt propter regnum terrenum, ab eodem uno Deo qui fecit coelum et terram. De hac ergo justitia quae major est, per prophetam dicitur, Justitia tua sicut montes Dei (Psal. XXXV, 7): et hoc bene significat, quod ab uno magistro solo docendis tantis rebus idoneo, locetur in monte. Sedens autem docet, quod pertinet ad dignitatem magisterii: et accedunt ad eum discipuli ejus, ut audiendis illius verbis hi essent etiam corpore viciniores, qui praeceptis adimplendis etiam animo propinquabant. Et aperiens os suum, docebat eos, dicens. Ista circumlocutio qua scribitur, Et aperiens os suum, fortassis ipsa mora commendat aliquanto longiorem futurum esse sermonem: nisi forte non vacet quod nunc eum dictum est aperuisse os suum, quod ipse in Lege veteri aperire soleret ora Prophetarum.

3. What, then, does He say?

3. Quid ergo dicit?

And “the poor in spirit” are rightly understood here, as meaning the humble and God-fearing, i.e. those who have not the spirit which puffeth up. Nor ought blessedness to begin at any other point whatever, if indeed it is to attain unto the highest wisdom; “but the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;” for, on the other hand also, “pride” is entitled “the beginning of all sin.” Let the proud, therefore, seek after and love the kingdoms of the earth; but “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Quapropter recte hic intelliguntur pauperes spiritu, humiles et timentes Deum, id est, non habentes inflantem spiritum . Nec aliunde omnino incipere oportuit beatitudinem; siquidem perventura est ad summam sapientiam: Initium autem sapientiae timor Domini (Eccli. I, 16); quoniam et e contrario, Initium omnis peccati superbia inscribitur (Id. X, 15). Superbi ergo appetant et diligant regna terrarum: Beati autem pauperes spiritu; quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum.

4. [2] “Blessed are the meek, for they shall by inheritance possess the earth:” that earth, I suppose, of which it is said in the Psalm, “Thou art my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” For it signifies a certain firmness and stability of the perpetual inheritance, where the soul, by means of a good disposition, rests, as it were, in its own place, just as the body rests on the earth, and is nourished from it with its own food, as the body from the earth. This is the very rest and life of the saints. Then, the meek are those who yield to acts of wickedness, and do not resist evil, but overcome evil with good. Let those, then, who are not meek quarrel and fight for earthly and temporal things; but “blessed are the meek, for they shall by inheritance possess the earth,” from which they cannot be driven out.

CAPUT II.---4. Beati mites; quoniam ipsi haereditate possidebunt terram: illam credo terram, de qua in Psalmo dicitur, Spes mea es tu, portio mea in terra viventium (Psal. CXLI, 6). Significat enim quamdam soliditatem et stabilitatem haereditatis perpetuae, ubi anima per bonum affectum, tanquam loco suo requiescit, sicut corpus in terra; et inde cibo suo alitur, sicut corpus ex terra: ipsa est requies et vita sanctorum. Mites autem sunt qui cedunt improbitatibus, et non resistunt malo, sed vincunt in bono malum (Rom. XII, 21). Rixentur ergo immites, et dimicent pro terrenis et temporalibus rebus: Beati autem mites; quoniam ipsi haereditate possidebunt terram, de qua pelli non possint.

5. [3] “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Mourning is sorrow arising from the loss of things held dear; but those who are converted to God lose those things which they were accustomed to embrace as dear in this world: for they do not rejoice in those things in which they formerly rejoiced; and until the love of eternal things be in them, they are wounded by some measure of grief. Therefore they will be comforted by the Holy Spirit, who on this account chiefly is called the Paraclete, i.e. the Comforter, in order that, while losing the temporal joy, they may enjoy to the full that which is eternal.

5. Beati lugentes; quoniam ipsi consolabuntur. Luctus est tristitia de amissione charorum: conversi autem ad Deum, ea quae in hoc mundo chara amplectebantur, amittunt: non enim gaudent his rebus, quibus ante gaudebant; et donec fiat in illis amor aeternorum , nonnulla moestitia sauciantur: consolabuntur ergo Spiritu sancto, qui maxime propterea paracletus nominatur, id est consolator, ut temporalem amittentes aeterna laetitia perfruantur.

6. [4] “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Now He calls those parties, lovers of a true and indestructible good. They will therefore be filled with that food of which the Lord Himself says, “My meat is to do the will of my Father,” which is righteousness; and with that water, of which whosoever “drinketh,” as he also says, it “shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.”

6. Beati qui esuriunt et sitiunt justitiam; quoniam ipsi saturabuntur. Jam istos amatores dicit veri et inconcussi boni. Illo ergo cibo saturabuntur, de quo ipse Dominus dicit, Meus cibus est ut faciam voluntatem Patris mei, quod est justitia: et illa aqua, de qua quisquis biberit, ut idem dicit, fiet in eo fons aquae salientis in vitam aeternam (Joan. IV, 34, 14).

7. [5] “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” He says that they are blessed who relieve the miserable, for it is paid back to them in such a way that they are freed from misery.

7. Beati misericordes; quoniam ipsorum miserebitur . Beatos esse dicit qui subveniunt misseris, quoniam eis ita rependitur, ut de miseria liberentur.

8. [6] “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” How foolish, therefore, are those who seek God with these outward eyes, since He is seen with the heart! as it is written elsewhere, “And in singleness of heart seek Him.” For that is a pure heart which is a single heart: and just as this light cannot be seen, except with pure eyes; so neither is God seen, unless that is pure by which He can be seen.

8. Beati mundi corde; quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt. Quam ergo stulti sunt qui Deum istis exterioribus oculis quaerunt, cum corde videatur, sicut alibi scriptum est, Et in simplicitate cordis quaerite illum (Sap. I, 1). Hoc est enim mundum cor, quod est simplex cor: et quemadmodum lumen hoc videri non potest, nisi oculis mundis; ita nec Deus videtur, nisi mundum sit illud quo videri potest.

9. [7] “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” It is the perfection of peace, where nothing offers opposition; and the children of God are peacemakers, because nothing resists God, and surely children ought to have the likeness of their father. Now, they are peacemakers in themselves who, by bringing in order all the motions of their soul, and subjecting them to reason—i.e. to the mind and spirit—and by having their carnal lusts thoroughly subdued, become a kingdom of God: in which all things are so arranged, that that which is chief and pre-eminent in man rules without resistance over the other elements, which are common to us with the beasts; and that very element which is pre-eminent in man, i.e. mind and reason, is brought under subjection to something better still, which is the truth itself, the only-begotten Son of God.

 9. Beati pacifici; quoniam ipsi filii Dei vocabuntur. In pace perfectio est, ubi nihil repugnat; et ideo filii Dei pacifici, quoniam nihil resistit Deo , et utique filii similitudinem patris habere debent. Pacifici autem in semetipsis sunt, qui omnes animi sui motus componentes et subjicientes rationi, id est menti et spiritui, carnalesque concupiscentias habentes edomitas, fiunt regnum Dei: in quo ita sunt ordinata omnia, ut id quod est in homine praecipuum et excellens, hoc imperet caeteris non reluctantibus, quae sunt nobis bestiisque communia; atque idipsum quod excellit in homine, id est mens et ratio, subjiciatur potiori, quod est ipsa veritas unigenitus Filius Dei.

Hence there follows: [8] “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Ideo sequitur: Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam; quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum.

Chap. iii. 10. There are in all, then, these eight sentences. For now in what remains He speaks in the way of direct address to those who were present, saying: “Blessed shall ye be when men shall revile you and persecute you.” But the former sentences He addressed in a general way: for He did not say, Blessed are ye poor in spirit, for yours is the kingdom of heaven; but He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven:” nor, Blessed are ye meek, for ye shall inherit the earth; but, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

CAPUT III.---10. Sunt autem omnes istae octo sententiae. Jam enim caetera compellans loquitur ad illos qui aderant, dicens: Beati eritis, cum vobis maledicent, et persequentur vos. Superiores autem sententias generaliter dirigebat: non enim dixit, Beati pauperes spiritu, quoniam vestrum est regnum coelorum; sed, quoniam ipsorum est, inquit, regnum coelorum: neque, Beati mites, quoniam vos possidebitis terram; sed, quoniam ipsi possidebunt terram.

And so the others up to the eighth sentence, where He says: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” After that He now begins to speak in the way of direct address to those present, although what has been said before referred also to His present audience; and that which follows, and which seems to be spoken specially to those present, refers also to those who were absent, or who would afterwards come into existence.

Et ita caeteras usque ad octavam sententiam, ubi ait: Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam; quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum. Inde jam incipit loqui praesentes compellans, cum et illa quae supra dicta sunt, ad eos etiam pertinerent, qui praesentes audiebant; et haec postea quae videntur praesentibus specialiter dici, pertineant etiam ad illos qui absentes vel post futuri erant.

[CONSIDER the NUMBER of the SENTENCES] 

For this reason the number of sentences before us is to be carefully considered.

Quapropter iste sententiarum numerus diligenter considerandus est.

[1] For the beatitudes begin with humility: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” i.e. those not puffed up, while the soul submits itself to divine authority, fearing lest after this life it go away to punishment, although perhaps in this life it might seem to itself to be happy.

Incipit enim beatitudo ab humilitate: Beati pauperes spiritu, id est, non inflati, dum se divinae auctoritati subdit anima, timens post hanc vitam ne pergat ad poenas, etiamsi forte in hac vita sibi beata esse videatur.

[2] Then it (the soul) comes to the knowledge of the divine Scriptures, where it must show itself meek in its piety, lest it should venture to condemn that which seems absurd to the unlearned, and should itself be rendered unteachable by obstinate disputations.

Inde venit ad divinarum Scripturarum cognitionem, ubi oportet eam se mitem praebere pietate, ne id quod imperitis videtur absurdum vituperare audeat, et pervicacibus concertationibus efficiatur indocilis.

[3] After that, it now begins to know in what entanglements of this world it is held by reason of carnal custom and sins: and so in this third stage, in which there is knowledge, the loss of the highest good is mourned over, because it sticks fast in what is lowest.

Inde jam incipit scire quibus nodis saeculi hujus per carnalem consuetudinem ac peccata teneatur: itaque in hoc tertio gradu, in quo scientia est, lugetur amissio summi boni, quia inhaeretur extremis.

[4] Then, in the fourth stage there is labour, where vehement exertion is put forth, in order that the mind may wrench itself away from those things in which, by reason of their pestilential sweetness, it is entangled: here therefore righteousness is hungered and thirsted after, and fortitude is very necessary; because what is retained with delight is not abandoned without pain.

In quarto autem  gradu labor est, ubi vehementer incumbitur ut sese animus avellat ab eis quibus pestifera dulcedine innexus est: hic ergo esuritur et sititur justitia, et multum necessaria est fortitudo; quia non relinquitur sine dolore quod cum delectatione retinetur.

[5] Then, at the fifth stage, to those persevering in labour, counsel for getting rid of it is given; for unless each one is assisted by a superior, in no way is he fit in his own case to extricate himself from so great entanglements of miseries. But it is a just counsel, that he who wishes to be assisted by a stronger should assist him who is weaker in that in which he himself is stronger: therefore “blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

Quinto autem gradu perseverantibus in labore datur evadendi consilium; quia nisi quisque adjuvetur a superiore, nullo modo sibi est idoneus ut sese tantis miseriarum implicamentis expediat: est autem justum consilium, ut qui se a potentiore adjuvari vult, adjuvet infirmiorem in quo est ipse potentior: itaque Beati misericordes; quia ipsorum miserebitur.

[6] At the sixth stage there is purity of heart, able from a good conscience of good works to contemplate that highest good, which can be discerned by the pure and tranquil intellect alone.

Sexto gradu est cordis munditia, de bona conscientia bonorum operum valens ad contemplandum summum illud bonum, quod solo puro et sereno intellectu cerni potest.

[7] Lastly is the seventh, wisdom itself—i.e. the contemplation of the truth, tranquillizing the whole man, and assuming the likeness of God, which is thus summed up: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

Postremo est septima ipsa sapientia, id est contemplatio veritatis, pacificans totum hominem, et suscipiens similitudinem Dei, quae ita concluditur: Beati pacifici; quoniam ipsi filii Dei vocabuntur.

[8] The eighth, as it were, returns to the starting-point, because it shows and commends what is complete and perfect: therefore in the first and in the eighth the kingdom of heaven is named, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;” and, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven:” as it is now said, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Rom. 8.35)

Octava tanquam ad caput redit; quia consummatum perfectumque ostendit et probat: itaque in prima et in octava nominatum est regnum coelorum, Beati pauperes spiritu; quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum; et, Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam; quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum: cum jam dicitur, Quis nos separabit a charitate Christi? tribulatio? an angustia? an persecutio? an fames? an nuditas? an periculum? an gladius (Rom. VIII, 35)?

Seven in number, therefore, are the things which bring perfection: for the eighth brings into light and shows what is perfect, so that starting, as it were, from the beginning again, the others also are perfected by means of these stages.

Septem sunt ergo quae perficiunt: nam octava clarificat, et quod perfectum est demonstrat, ut per hos gradus perficiantur et caeteri, tanquam a capite rursum exordiens.

11. Hence also the sevenfold operation of the Holy Ghost, of which Isaiah speaks, seems to me to correspond to these stages and sentences. But there is a difference of order: for there the enumeration begins with the more excellent, but here with the inferior. For there it begins with wisdom, and closes with the fear of God: but “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Isa. 11, 2, 3)

CAPUT IV.---11. Videtur ergo mihi etiam septiformis operatio Spiritus sancti, de qua Isaias loquitur (Isai. XI, 2, 3), his gradibus sententiisque congruere. Sed interest ordinis: nam ibi enumeratio ab excellentioribus coepit, hic vero ab inferioribus. Ibi namque incipit a sapientia, et desinit ad timorem Dei: sed initium sapientiae timor Domini est.

And therefore, if we reckon as it were in a gradually ascending series, there the fear of God is first, piety second, knowledge third, fortitude fourth, counsel fifth, understanding sixth, wisdom seventh.

Quapropter si gradatim tanquam ascendentes numeremus, primus ibi est timor Dei, secunda pietas, tertia scientia, quarta fortitudo, quintum consilium, sextus intellectus, septima sapientia.

The fear of God corresponds to the humble, of whom it is here said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” i.e. those not puffed up, not proud: to whom the apostle says, “Be not high-minded, but fear;” i.e. be not lifted up.

Timor Dei congruit humilibus, de quibus hic dicitur, Beati pauperes spiritu, id est non inflati, non superbi: quibus Apostolus dicit, Noli altum sapere, sed time (Rom. XI, 20); id est, noli extolli.

Piety corresponds to the meek: for he who inquires piously honours Holy Scripture, and does not censure what he does not yet understand, and on this account does not offer resistance; and this is to be meek: whence it is here said, “Blessed are the meek.”

Pietas congruit mitibus: qui enim pie quaerit, honorat sanctam Scripturam, et non reprehendit quod nondum intelligit, et propterea non resistit, quod est mitem esse: unde hic dicitur, Beati mites.

Knowledge corresponds to those that mourn who already have found out in the Scriptures by what evils they are held chained which they ignorantly have coveted as though they were good and useful.

Scientia congruit lugentibus, qui jam cognoverunt in Scripturis quibus malis vincti teneantur, quae tanquam bona et utilia ignorantes appetiverunt: de quibus hic dicitur, Beati qui lugent.

Fortitude corresponds to those hungering and thirsting: for they labour in earnestly desiring joy from things that are truly good, and in eagerly seeking to turn away their love from earthly and corporeal things: and of them it is here said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.”

Fortitudo congruit esurientibus et sitientibus: laborant enim desiderantes gaudium de veris bonis, et amorem a terrenis et corporalibus avertere cupientes: de quibus hic dicitur, Beati qui esuriunt et sitiunt justitiam.

Counsel corresponds to the merciful: for this is the one remedy for escaping from so great evils, that we forgive, as we wish to be ourselves forgiven; and that we assist others so far as we are able, as we ourselves desire to be assisted where we are not able: and of them it is here said, “Blessed are the merciful.”

Consilium congruit misericordibus: hoc enim unum remedium est de tantis  malis evadendi, ut dimittamus, sicut nobis dimitti volumus; et adjuvemus in quo possumus alios, sicut nos in quo non possumus cupimus adjuvari: de quibus hic dicitur, Beati misericordes.

Understanding corresponds to the pure in heart, the eye being as it were purged, by which that may be beheld which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, and what hath not entered into the heart of man: and of them it is here said, “Blessed are the pure in heart.”

Intellectus congruit mundis corde, tanquam purgato oculo, quo cerni possit quod corporeus oculus non vidit, nec auris audivit, nec in cor hominis ascendit (Isai. LXIV, 4; et I Cor. II, 9): de quibus hic dicitur, Beati mundi corde.

Wisdom corresponds to the peacemakers, in whom all things are now brought into order, and no passion is in a state of rebellion against reason, but all things together obey the spirit of man, while he himself also obeys God: and of them it is here said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Sapientia congruit pacificis, in quibus jam ordinata sunt omnia, nullusque motus adversus rationem rebellis est, sed cuncta obtemperant spiritui hominis, cum et ipse obtemperet Deo : de quibus hic dicitur, Beati pacifici.

12. Moreover, the one reward, which is the kingdom of heaven, is variously named according to these stages. In the first, just as ought to be the case, is placed the kingdom of heaven, which is the perfect and highest wisdom of the rational soul. Thus, therefore, it is said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven:” as if it were said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” To the meek an inheritance is given, as it were the testament of a father to those dutifully seeking it: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” To the mourners comfort, as to those who know what they have lost, and in what evils they are sunk: “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” To those hungering and thirsting, a full supply, as it were a refreshment to those labouring and bravely contending for salvation: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” To the merciful mercy, as to those following a true and excellent counsel, so that this same treatment is extended toward them by one who is stronger, which they extend toward the weaker: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” To the pure in heart is given the power of seeing God, as to those bearing about with them a pure eye for discerning eternal things: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” To the peacemakers the likeness of God is given, as being perfectly wise, and formed after the image of God by means of the regeneration of the renewed man: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” And those promises can indeed be fulfilled in this life, as we believe them to have been fulfilled in the case of the apostles. For that all-embracing change into the angelic form, which is promised after this life, cannot be explained in any words. “Blessed,” therefore, “are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This eighth sentence, which goes back to the starting-point, and makes manifest the perfect man, is perhaps set forth in its meaning both by the circumcision on the eighth day in the Old Testament, and by the resurrection of the Lord after the Sabbath, the day which is certainly the eighth, and at the same time the first day; and by the celebration of the eight festival days which we celebrate in the case of the regeneration of the new man; and by the very number of Pentecost. For to the number seven, seven times multiplied, by which we make forty-nine, as it were an eighth is added, so that fifty may be made up, and we, as it were, return to the starting-point: on which day the Holy Spirit was sent, by whom we are led into the kingdom of heaven, and receive the inheritance, and are comforted; and are fed, and obtain mercy, and are purified, and are made peacemakers; and being thus perfect, we bear all troubles brought upon us from without for the sake of truth and righteousness.

12. Unum autem praemium quod est regnum coelorum, pro his gradibus varie nominatum est. In primo, sicut oportebat, positum est regnum coelorum, quod est perfecta summaque sapientia animae rationalis. Sic itaque dictum est, Beati pauperes spiritu; quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum: tanquam diceretur, Initium sapientiae timor Domini. Mitibus haereditas data est, tanquam testamentum patris cum pietate quaerentibus: Beati mites; quoniam ipsi haereditate possidebunt terram. Lugentibus consolatio, tanquam scientibus quid amiserint, et quibus mersi sint: Beati qui lugent; quoniam ipsi consolabuntur. Esurientibus et sitientibus saturitas, tanquam refectio laborantibus fortiterque certantibus ad salutem: Beati qui esuriunt et sitiunt justitiam; quoniam ipsi saturabuntur. Misericordibus misericordia, tanquam vero et optimo consilio utentibus, ut hoc eis exhibeatur a potentiore, quod invalidioribus exhibent. Beati misericordes; quoniam ipsorum miserebitur. Mundis corde facultas videndi Deum, tanquam purum oculum ad intelligenda aeterna gerentibus. Beati mundi corde; quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt. Pacificis Dei similitudo, tanquam perfecte sapientibus formatisque ad imaginem Dei per regenerationem renovati hominis: Beati pacifici; quoniam ipsi filii Dei vocabuntur. Et ista quidem in hac vita possunt compleri, sicut completa esse in Apostolis credimus . Nam illa omnimoda in angelicam formam mutatio, quae post hanc vitam promittitur, nullis verbis exponi potest. Beati ergo qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam; quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum. Haec octava sententia, quae ad caput redit, perfectumque hominem declarat, significatur fortasse et circumcisione octavo die in Veteri Testamento; et Domini resurrectione post sabbatum, qui est utique octavus, idemque primus dies; et celebratione octavarum feriarum, quas in regeneratione novi hominis celebramus; et numero ipso Pentecostes. Nam septenario numero septies multiplicato, quo fiunt quadraginta novem, quasi octavus additur, ut quinquaginta compleantur et tanquam redeatur ad caput: quo die missus est Spiritus sanctus, quo in regnum coelorum ducimur, et haereditatem accipimus, et consolamur; et pascimur, et misericordiam consequimur, et mundamur, et pacificamur; atque ita perfecti, omnes  extrinsecus illatas molestias pro veritate et justitia sustinemus.

13. “Blessed are ye,” says He, “when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.” Let any one who is seeking after the delights of this world and the riches of temporal things under the Christian name, consider that our blessedness is within; as it is said of the soul of the Church by the mouth of the prophet, “All the beauty of the king’s daughter is within;” for outwardly revilings, and persecutions, and disparagements are promised; and yet, from these things there is a great reward in heaven, which is felt in the heart of those who endure, those who can now say, “We glory in tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” For it is not simply the enduring of such things that is advantageous, but the bearing of such things for the name of Christ not only with tranquil mind, but even with exultation. For many heretics, deceiving souls under the Christian name, endure many such things; but they are excluded from that reward on this account, that it is not said merely, “Blessed are they which endure persecution;” but it is added,” for righteousness’ sake.” Now, where there is no sound faith, there can be no righteousness, for the just [righteous] man lives by faith. Neither let schismatics promise themselves anything of that reward; for similarly, where there is no love, there cannot be righteousness, for “love worketh no ill to his neighbour;” and if they had it, they would not tear in pieces Christ’s body, which is the Church.

CAPUT V.---13. Beati eritis, inquit, cum vobis maledicent, et persequentur vos, et dicent omne malum adversum vos, mentientes, propter me. Gaudete et exsultate, quoniam merces vestra multa est in coelis. Animadvertat quisquis delicias hujus saeculi et facultates rerum temporalium quaerit in nomine christiano, intrinsecus esse beatitudinem nostram; sicut de anima ecclesiastica ore prophetico dicitur: Omnis pulchritudo filiae regis intrinsecus (Psal. XLIV, 14): nam extrinsecus maledicta et persecutiones et detractiones promittuntur: de quibus tamen magna merces est in coelis, quae sentitur in corde patientium, eorum qui jam possunt dicere, «Gloriamur in tribulationibus; scientes quoniam tribulatio patientiam operatur, patientia autem probationem, probatio vero spem, spes autem non confundit; quia charitas Dei diffusa est in cordibus nostris per Spiritum sanctum qui datus est nobis» (Rom. V, 3-5). Non enim ista perpeti fructuosum est, sed ista pro Christi nomine non solum aequo animo, sed etiam cum exsultatione tolerare. Nam multi haeretici, nomine christiano animas decipientes, multa talia patiuntur: sed ideo excluduntur ab ista mercede, quia non dictum est tantum, Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur; sed additum est, propter justitiam: ubi autem sana fides non est, non potest esse justitia; quia justus ex fide vivit (Habac. II, 4, et Rom. I, 17). Neque schismatici aliquid sibi ex ista mercede promittant; quia similiter ubi charitas non est, non potest esse justitia: dilectio enim proximi malum non operatur (Rom. XIII, 10), quam si haberent, non dilaniarent corpus Christi, quod est Ecclesia (Coloss. I, 24).

14. But it may be asked, What is the difference when He says, “when men shall revile you,” and “when they shall say all manner of evil against you,” since to revile is just this, to say evil against? But it is one thing when the reviling word is hurled with contumely in presence of him who is reviled, as it was said to our Lord, “Say we not the truth that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?” and another thing, when our reputation is injured in our absence, as it is also written of Him, “Some said, He is a prophet; others said, Nay, but He deceiveth the people.” Then, further, to persecute is to inflict violence, or to assail with snares, as was done by him who betrayed Him, and by them who crucified Him. Certainly, as for the fact that this also is not put in a bare form, so that it should be said, “and shall say all manner of evil against you,” but there is added the word “falsely,” and also the expression “for my sake;” I think that the addition is made for the sake of those who wish to glory in persecutions, and in the baseness of their reputation; and to say that Christ belongs to them for this reason, that many bad things are said about them; while, on the one hand, the things said are true, when they are said respecting their error; and, on the other hand, if sometimes also some false charges are thrown out, which frequently happens from the rashness of men, yet they do not suffer such things for Christ’s sake. For he is not a follower of Christ who is not called a Christian according to the true faith and the catholic discipline.

14. Quaeri autem potest quid intersit quod ait, Cum vobis maledicent, et, Omne malum dicent adversum vos; cum maledicere, hoc sit, malum dicere. Sed aliter maledictum jactatur cum contumelia coram illo cui maledicitur, sicut Domino nostro dictum est, Nonne verum dicimus, quia Samaritanus es, et daemonium habes (Joan. VIII, 48)? aliter cum absentis fama laeditur, sicut de illo item scribitur, Alii dicebant, Quia propheta est: alii autem dicebant, Non, sed seducit populum (Id. VII, 12). Persequi autem, est vim inferre, vel insidiis appetere: quod fecit qui eum tradidit, et qui eum crucifixerunt. Sane quod etiam hoc non est nude positum, ut diceretur, Et dicent omne malum adversum vos, sed additum est, mentientes; additum etiam, propter me: propter eos additum puto, qui volunt de persecutionibus et de famae suae turpitudine gloriari; et ideo dicere ad se pertinere Christum, quia multa de illis dicuntur mala; cum et vera dicantur, quando de illorum errore dicuntur: et si aliquando etiam nonnulla falsa jactantur, quod temeritate hominum plerumque accidit, non tamen propter Christum ista patiuntur. Non enim Christum sequitur, qui non secundum veram fidem et catholicam disciplinam Christianus vocatur.

15. “Rejoice,” says He, “and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.” I do not think that it is the higher parts of this visible world that are here called heaven. For our reward, which ought to be immoveable and eternal, is not to be placed in things fleeting and temporal. But I think the expression “in heaven” means in the spiritual firmament, where dwells everlasting righteousness: in comparison with which a wicked soul is called earth, to which it is said when it sins, “Earth thou art, and unto earth thou shalt return.” Of this heaven the apostle says, “For our conversation is in heaven.” Hence they who rejoice in spiritual good are conscious of that reward now; but then it will be perfected in every part, when this mortal also shall have put on immortality. “For,” says He, “so persecuted they the prophets also which were before you.” In the present case He has used “persecution” in a general sense, as applying alike to abusive words and to the tearing in pieces of one’s reputation; and has well encouraged them by an example, because they who speak true things are wont to suffer persecution: nevertheless did not the ancient prophets on this account, through fear of persecution, give over the preaching of the truth.

15. Gaudete, inquit, et exsultate, quoniam merces vestra multa est in coelis. Non hic coelos dici puto superiores  partes hujus visibilis mundi. Non enim merces nostra, quae inconcussa et aeterna esse debet, in rebus volubilibus et temporalibus collocanda est. Sed in coelis dictum puto, in spiritualibus firmamentis, ubi habitat sempiterna justitia: in quorum comparatione terra dicitur anima iniqua, cui peccanti dictum est, Terra es, et in terram ibis (Gen. III, 19). De his coelis dicit Apostolus: Quoniam conversatio nostra in coelis est (Philipp. III, 20). Sentiunt ergo jam istam mercedem, qui gaudent spiritualibus bonis: sed tunc ex omni parte perficietur, cum etiam hoc mortale induerit immortalitatem. Ita enim persecuti sunt, inquit, et Prophetas qui ante vos fuerunt. Nunc persecutionem generaliter posuit, et in maledictis et in dilaceratione famae; et bene exemplo adhortatus est, quia vera dicentes solent persecutionem pati: nec tamen ideo Prophetae antiqui timore persecutionis a veritatis praedicatione defecerunt.

from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours
 for Nov. 21: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
SERMON 25, 7-8

PL 46 937-938

THE MOTHER and BROTHERS of CHRIST__ 

STRETCHING out his hand over his disciples, the Lord Christ declared: Here are my mother and my brothers; anyone who does the will of my Father who sent me is my brother and my sister and my mother. I would urge you to ponder these words. Did the Virgin Mary, who believed by faith and conceived by faith, who was the chosen one from whom our Savior was born among men, who was created by Christ before Christ was created in her –- did she not do the will of the Father? Indeed the blessed Mary certainly did the Father’s will, and so it was for her a greater thing to have been Christ’s disciple than to have been his mother, and she was more blessed in her discipleship than in her motherhood. Hers was the happiness of first bearing in her womb him whom she would obey as her master.

quod ait Dominus Christus extendens manum super Discipulos suos: Haec est mater mea, et fratres mei. Et qui fecerit voluntatem Patris mei, qui me misit, ipse mihi et frater, et soror, et mater est. Numquid non fecit voluntatem Patris Virgo Maria, quae fide credidit, fide concepit, electa est, de qua nobis salus inter homines nasceretur, creata est a Christo, antequam in illa Christus crearetur? Fecit, fecit plane voluntatem Patris sancta Maria, et ideo plus est Mariae, discipulam fuisse Christi, quam matrem fuisse Christi. Plus est felicius discipulam fuisse Christi, quam matrem fuisse Christi. Ideo Maria beata erat, quia, et antequam pareret, magistrum in utero portavit.

Now listen and see if the words of Scripture do not agree with what I have said. The Lord was passing by and crowds were following him. His miracles gave proof of divine power, and a woman cried out: Happy is the womb that bore you, blessed is that womb! But the Lord, not wishing people to seek happiness in a purely physical relationship, replied: More blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it. Mary heard God’s word and kept it, and so she is blessed. She kept God’s truth in her mind, a nobler thing than carrying his body in her womb. The truth and the body were both Christ: he was kept in Mary’s mind insofar as he is truth, he was carried in her womb insofar as he is man; but what is kept in the mind is of a higher order than what is carried in the womb.

Vide, si non est, quod dico. Transeunte Domino cum turbis sequentibus, et ^[Col.0938] miracula faciente divina, ait quaedam mulier: Felix venter, qui te portavit . Beatus venter, qui te portavit. Et Dominus, ut non felicitas in carne quaereretur, quid respondit? Imo beati, qui audiunt verbum Dei, et custodiunt (Luc. XI, 27, 28). Inde ergo et Maria beata, quia audivit verbum Dei, et custodivit. Plus mente custodivit veritatem, quam utero carnem. Veritas Christus, caro Christus. Veritas Christus in mente Mariae, caro Christus in ventre Mariae. Plus est, quod est in mente, quam quod portatur in ventre.

The Virgin Mary is both holy and blessed, and yet the Church is greater than she. Mary is a part of the Church, a member of the Church, a holy, an eminent -– the most eminent -– member, but still only a member of the entire body. The body undoubtedly is greater than she, one of its members. This body has the Lord for its head, and head and body together make up the whole Christ. In other words, our head is divine -– our head is God.

Sancta Maria, beata Maria, sed melior est Ecclesia, quam Virgo Maria. Quare? Quia Maria portio est Ecclesiae, sanctum membrum, excellens membrum, supereminens membrum, sed tamen totius corporis membrum. Si totius corporis, plus est profecto corpus, quam membrum. Caput Dominus, et totus Christus caput et corpus. Quid dicam? Divinum caput habemus, Deum caput habemus.

Now, beloved, give me your whole attention, for you also are members of Christ; you also are the body of Christ. Consider how you yourselves can be among those of whom the Lord said: Here are my mother and my brothers.

VIII. Ergo, charissimi, vos attendite. Et vos membra Christi estis, et vos corpus Christi estis. Attendite, quomodo sitis, quod ait: Ecce mater mea, et fratres mei. Quomodo eritis mater Christi?

Do you wonder how you can be the mother of Christ? He himself said: Whoever hears and fulfills the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and my sister and my mother.

Et Quicumque audit, et quicumque facit voluntatem Patris mei, qui in caelis est, ipse meus frater, et soror, et mater est (Matth. XII, 49, 50).

As for our being the brothers and sisters of Christ, we can understand this because although there is only one inheritance and Christ is the only Son, his mercy would not allow him to remain alone. It was his wish that we too should be heirs of the Father, and co-heirs with himself.

Puta, Fratres intelligo, Sorores intelligo; una est enim haereditas, et ideo Christi misericordia, qui, cum esset unicus, noluit esse solus, voluit nos esse Patri haeredes, sibi cohaeredes.

Now having said that all of you are brothers of Christ, shall I not dare to call you his mother? Much less would I dare to deny his own words.

Dixi enim vos fratres ejus omnes, et matrem suam non auderem? Sed multo minus audeo, quod Christus dixit, negare.

Tell me how Mary became the mother of Christ, if it was not by giving birth to the members of Christ? You, to whom I am speaking, are the members of Christ. Of whom were you born? “Of Mother Church”, I hear the reply of your hearts.

Unde, rogo vos, Maria mater est Christi, nisi quia peperit membra Christi? Vos, quibus loquor, membra estis Christi. Quis vos peperit? Audio vocem cordis vestri: Mater Ecclesia.

You became sons of this mother at your baptism, you came to birth then as members of Christ.

Fuistis filii, estote et matres. Filii matris, quando baptizati estis, tunc membra Christi nata estis.

Now you in your turn must draw to the font of baptism as many as you possibly can. You became sons when you were born there yourselves, and now by bringing others to birth in the same way, you have it in your power to become the mothers of Christ.

Adducite ad lavacrum baptismatis, quos potestis, ut sicut filii fuistis, quando nati estis, sic etiam ducendo ad nascendum matres Christi esse possitis.