Sermons · Sermon 2522

1I believe I have explained the great mystery sufficiently. But you know that it pertains to us to work well during the Lenten season, so that we may praise the Lord on Pentecost. Therefore, we celebrate those forty days, before we keep vigil, in labor, fasting, and abstinence: for they signify the presence of this time. However, after the resurrection of the Lord, because these days signify eternal joy (they are not yet the actual thing, but they signify it: it is a matter of mystery, brothers, not yet of realization: for when Easter is celebrated, the Lord is not crucified: but just as we commemorate past events in their anniversary celebration, so also we signify future things which are not yet here): therefore, at this time, fasting is relaxed; for the number of these days signifies future rest. But see, brothers, that through much drunkenness, as if under great permission, wishing to celebrate these days carnally, you do not deserve to celebrate what they signify with the angels forever. For if I reproach a drunkard, he might say: You told us that these days signify eternal joy; you insinuated to us that this time foretells angelic and heavenly joy: so should I not do well for myself? Would that it be well, and not badly. For it signifies joy for you, if you are a temple of God. But if you fill the temple of God with the filth of drunkenness, the Apostle resounds to you: Whoever destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. Let this be inscribed in the hearts of your Holiness, that it is better for a less understanding man to live well, than for a very understanding man to live poorly. Indeed, fullness and perfect blessedness is for someone to quickly understand and live well: but if perhaps one cannot do both, it is better to live well than to quickly understand. For he who lives well, merits further understanding: and he who lives poorly, will lose even what he understands. Thus it is said: To him who has, it will be given; and to him who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away from him.