Scholars And Martyrs

Videmus quam angusta porta et arcta via sancti martyres vitam ingressi sunt sempiternam. Nos vero, fratres, faciliori via, et leviori cursu ad ejusdem vitae possumus pervenire beatitudinem, ipsa dicente Veritate: Multae masiones sunt in domo Patris mei. Propter merita diversa, mansiones multae: tamen omnibus beata aeternitas et aeterna beatitudo erit. Quia quisquis ibi erit, beatus erit et gloriosus, ubi justi fulgebunt sicut sol in regno Patris eorum. Sicut enim sanctorum martyrum persecutores fuerunt, diabolo instigante, impii homines saeculi concupiscentia et carnalis delectatio, et animi inconstantia et Dei negligentia mandatorum. Et veluti illi martyres sancti, gratia adjuvante divina, impios constanter vicerunt tyrannos, palmam aeternae acceperunt gloriae: sic et nos, si nostros, Deo auxiliante, superamus adversiones, et diabolicis viriliter resistimus suggestionibus, coronam perpetuae laudis et palmam aeternae beatitudinis accepturi erimus. Alcuinus Eboracensis, Epistola VII, Ad Fratres Eboracenses Source: Migne PL 100.148b-c

We see that the gate is narrow and the way is difficult 1 by which the martyrs entered into eternity. Certainly, brothers, the way we have by which we will enter into blessedness is easier and we run at a lighter pace, with Truth itself saying, ' Many are the mansions in my Father's house.' 2 On account of differing merits there are many mansions; but to all there shall be blessed eternity and eternal blessings. For whoever shall be there will be blessed and glorious, there where the just shall blaze like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Just as the devil driven persecutors of the holy martyrs were impious and worldly men impelled by corporeal desire and delight, and faithless souls who neglected the commandments of God, and just as those holy martyrs, with the assistance of Divine grace, by constancy conquered impious tyrants and received the palm of glory, so even we, if with God's help we triumph over adversaries and manfully resist the temptations of the devil, shall receive the crown of perpetual praise and the palm of eternal beatitude. Alcuin of York, from Letter 7, To the Brothers at York. 1 Mt 7.14 2 Jn 14.2