How could we more appropriately conclude the teachings of this Octave, than by quoting the words used by the Church herself in today’s Liturgy?
“Strangers as we are and pilgrims on the earth, let us fix our hearts
and our thoughts on the day which will give to each of us a home, and
restore us to Paradise. Who, that is on a voyage, would not hasten to
return to his country! Who, that is on the way home, would not eagerly
desire a favorable wind, that he might the sooner embrace his dear ones!
Parents, brothers, children, friends in multitudes impatiently await us
in our heavenly fatherland; blessed crowd! already secure of their own
eternal happiness, they are solicitous about our salvation. What joy for
them and for us, when at length we see them and they may embrace us!
“How great the delight of that heavenly kingdom: no more fear of
death; but eternal and supreme happiness! Let all our earnest desires
tend to this: that we may be united with the Saints, that together with
them we pay possess Christ.”
These enthusiastic words, borrowed from St. Cyprian’s beautiful book “On Mortality,” are used by the Church in her second Nocturn; and in the third she also gives us the strong language of St. Augustine,
consoling the faithful, who are obliged still to remain in exile, by
reminding them of the great beatitude of this earth: the beatitude of
those who are persecuted and cursed by the world. To suffer gladly for
Christ, is the Christian’s glory, the invisible beauty which wins for
his soul the good pleasure of God, and procures him a great reward in
heaven.
He that hurteth, let him hurt still, says our Lord; and
he that is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is just, let
him be justified still; and he that is holy, let him be sanctified
still. Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to
every man according to his works. I am Alpha and Omega, the first and
the last, the beginning and the end. Patience, then, Christians! Patience, all who are now despised, for time is short; the fashion of this world passeth away!
It is in the light of our Baptism that we must look upon those foolish
men, who think themselves strong, because they are violent; who call
themselves wise, because pleasure is their only law. When the Man-God, with the spirit of his mouth, shall take vengeance on Satan their leader, their lot will be the indignant sentence heard by the Prophet of Patmos: Without are dogs, murderers, every one that loveth and maketh a lie.
Meanwhile the whole creation, which they made the unwilling slave of
their corruption, will answer to their disgraceful fall by a triumphant
song of deliverance. Itself will be transformed into new heavens and a
new earth. It will partake of the glory of the children of God,
delivered like itself, and will be worthy to contain the new Jerusalem,
the holy city, where in our flesh we shall see God; and where, seated at
the right hand of the Father in the Person of Jesus Christ, our
glorified human nature will enjoy forever the honors of a bride. (Read more.)
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