Lessons 7 &8 from the Divine Office for St. Rose of Lima, Virgin: Matthew 25:1-13 (See Mass Propers); A Homily by St. Gregory the Pope (12 in Evangelia) Dearly beloved brethren: oftentimes do I warn you to flee evil, and to keep yourselves unspotted from the world. But todays reading from the holy Gospel moveth me to warn you even further, namely, to exercise prudence when ye attempt to do good. Look ye well to your motives lest, when ye work righteousness, ye do it for the praise and admiration of men. For if we do things to obtain praise of men, what appeareth so fair outwardly hath nothing inwardly which deserveth reward. Behold how the Redeemer speaketh of these ten virgins. He calleth them all virgins. Yet not all of them were received within the gates of blessedness. For some of them sought outwardly the honour of virginity, but had no substance of virginity within, for they took no oil wherewith to sustain the lamp of purity. But first of all, it is for us to ask, What is the kingdom of heaven? And wherefore shall the same be likened unto ten virgins, whereof, albeit five were wise, yet five were foolish? For if the kingdom of heaven be such that there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, how can it be like unto five virgins which were foolish? But we should know that in language of holy Scripture, the kingdom of heaven doth oftentimes signify the Church as she now is, touching the which the Lord saith in another place: The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend. In that kingdom of blessedness, wherein peace shall have her perfect reign, there shall be nothing found that offendeth for the Angels to gather out.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 00:59:07 +0000
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