Sermon I Of The Concord Of Brethren And The Melody Of Divine Praise
SERMON I
OF THE CONCORD OF BRETHREN AND THE MELODY OF DIVINE PRAISE
BEHOLD how good and how pleasant it is: for brethren to dwell together in unity. David, a saint and a truly great prophet before God, filled with the Holy Ghost, composed many psalms: some for the seeking of aid in tribulation, others in thanksgiving for deliverance from enemies. But seldom or never did he produce so good and so pleasant a melody as he uttered in this short gradual canticle, saying: Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. For all naturally seek good and pleasantness: but flee from evil and sadness, as man’s unhappiness. Therefore eager to speak of brotherly love and concord, passing over in silence other present goods he rejoiced especially in the devotion of brethren: and taking up his pleasant psaltery with the harp he sang in the house of the Lord saying: Behold how good and how pleasant it is: for brethren to dwell together in unity. Truly, Brethren, there is no greater happiness in a monastery of religious and a community of Brothers and Sisters: than unanimity of soul, and concord in virtue with observance of the rule and statutes: according to the precepts of superiors, and the counsel of elders. But this holy and God-pleasing concord of brethren the devil, the enemy of all the good, ceases not to combat and assault: in divers ways day and night laying snares to beguile slothful and unwary souls: and at one time indeed he troubles openly by vain speeches: at another he tempts and unsettles by vile suggestions: thereby to draw away the few soldier of Christ from his holy purpose: or to bring the veteran follower into slothfulness; or to urge the weak into murmuring: or to bind the passionate in obstinacy. But against these wiles and terrors of Satan a united community of brethren struggles and triumphs; who watch in vigils by night, toil in labours by day: give heed to sacred reading; instant in devout prayers and the melody of psalms sing praise to God: and as it were trumpeting together on heavenly bugles put the demon to flight. For they torment him mightily when they fast, they strike him when they take the discipline: they tread him under foot when they beg pardon, they crush him when they humble themselves; they terrify him when they call on Jesus, they torture him when they name Mary: they drive him away when they sign themselves with the cross, they burn him when they worship the Crucified; they conquer when they obey, they straiten when they abide in solitude: they bind when they keep strict silence. Truly this is the holy assembly of the brethren who seek the Lord; who seek the face of the God of Jacob: who spurn the world, love Christ, renounce themselves and all things for God’s sake; fight against the devil and his host until he retires: and is afraid to return again soon to the camp of God. Weigh therefore, most beloved, how good it is and sweet for brethren to dwell together in unity; who gathered in one house, bound together by the profession of one rule, well ordered under one superior, rise together to the watches, come together to the canonical Hours, begin together to chant and read: strive together to perform the Divine Office worthily. Oh how pleasing and praiseworthy the assembly devoted chiefly to the praise of God; where there are as many resounding trumpets: as there are voices cheerfully singing in choir.
But hearing this, what say the demons who trouble religious? us flee from Israel,” they say, “this holy and devout community: for the Lord fighteth with them against us. These are the true Israelites who, going forth from Egypt and the darkness of a worldly life, for Christ’s sake have left relatives and friends; and now clothed in the habit of holy religion, have vowed themselves to God for ever and have commenced bravely to fight against us: certainly to our confusion and to the increase of their glory.” Stand with constancy therefore, brethren, armed by prayers against the foes of your salvation, fearing the onslaught of none: but trusting in the Lord give thanks for all the blessings bestowed upon you, in preference to many wandering in the world. Grow not weary of rising every night to the nocturnal watches; but when the signal is given, throw off sleepiness from your eyes, distractions from your hearts: dissoluteness from your conduct. Ah, dearly beloved, give heed to the presence of Christ, the guard of angels, the reverence due to the Sacrament and the relics of the saints; in whose sight you stand and sing psalms: although with bodily eyes you see them not. Beware carefully of vain imaginations and unclean spirits: lest they find room to enter and lie hid in you. Swiftly turn away your face from the traffic of the devil: sign your hearts with the sign of the holy cross: flee to the Passion of Christ: blush to think on other things than the words of God which you read and chant. Begin now to lead a celibate life with the angels; keep peace and concord with all: give occasion of scandal to none by words or offensive actions. In the charity of Christ bear with the shortcomings of the weak: be not, however, in agreement with their bad habits or complaints. Pray often for the tried and the tempted: fear lest the like befall you, or you incur worse. And to all show an example of true humility, mildness, patience, silence and obedience: that you may receive an everlasting reward from God with His saints and elect in Heaven. For if you knew their least joy: you would fly to all the things that please God: and would hasten to the choir where things divine and heavenly are discoursed day and night. When, therefore, you feel weariness of heart from the burden of the toil: remember the eternal rewards promised you in Heaven. Whence blessed Paul, who toiled more than all, arousing the slothful, strengthening the weak: amid his labours recalled the things of Heaven to mind saying. “The sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared: with the glory to come, that shall be revealed in us.” Never shall the servant of God possibly be overcome in the combat, or weighed down by the toil of time: who always bears in mind eternal goods or evils. Who therefore wishes to have a heart pure and quiet, let him shut out from himself all earthly ease and human solace. For speedily is lost the desire of Heaven acquired in silence: unless it be guarded with all diligence from rumours from without.
A convent of monks is like the salt sea, which cannot retain within it dead bodies: but at once casts up on the shore what is corrupt, but nourishes what is healthy and fresh: and bringing it to perfection, renders it agreeable to the beholder. Know therefore that a carnal man concealed under a poor garment, cannot long disguise himself: but either in himself he falls away through lukewarmness, and dries up in his fervour; or he speedily departs, or meditates departure: or remaining with murmuring, shows of himself the corruption of perverse conduct. And because he is light of heart and unbridled of mouth, he often mocks others; because proud and passionate, he arouses strife among the peaceful, and accuses the simple. And because he has not the root of humility, and heeds not to pluck out the thorns of sensuality: therefore he is unable to produce the sweet flowers of chastity with the fruits of obedience and charity.
In a community of the Devout the hearts of many are tried, as gold in a burning furnace: whether their desires are of God, or conceived of the flesh. For who seek their own ease, and carelessly pass over community tasks and the observances of the Order; these make little progress in the spirit: but turning aside to outward things they often slip back to former evil ways. How shall anyone be able to persevere long in discipline and devotion; who does not strive manfully against temptations and passions? Wherefore, while little vices lie hid, the remedies should be applied in due time: lest the thorns growing up choke the good seed. For the Saviour says of certain feigned and lukewarm brothers, in whom there is not spiritual fervour: but only the outward humble habit is seen with the desire of honour. “Every plant which My heavenly Father hath not planted: shall be rooted up.” in sooth he who does not build his house upon the strong rock, that is, his life upon Christ and true humility: when the wind of pride blows, he falls from the state of devotion to external occupations: and into divers temptations of the devil. From which evils may Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lovingly defend us: Who hath taught us by word and example to walk humbly: and ever to keep peace with the brethren without guile and dissipation. Amen.