Opening And Closing

In promptu demonstrare est quod aperuit diabolo et clausit Christo. Qui enim superbiam recipit, non solum humilitatem sed et humilitatis magistrum Christum excludit, qui et dicit: Discite a me quia mitis sum et humilis corde. Qui cupiditatem introducit non solum largitatem exterminat, sed et munerum largitorem, qui ad astruendum liberalitatem largitatis suae prohibet de crastino cogitare. Qui gastrimargia peritus non solum salutare jejunium aspernatur, sed et jejunatori claudit, qui cum quadraginta diebus jejunasset, postea esuriit. Qui in cubiculo suo luxuriam collocat, non solum sanctimoniam expellit, sine qua nemo videbit Dominum, sed et pariter eum repellit, qui virginitatis gloriam dedicavit in matre, et coelos coepit virginitatis fecunditate replere. Petrus Blenensis, Sermo LXV Ad Populum Source: Migne PL 207.759c

One may quickly show how one has opened up to the devil and closed up to Christ. He who has taken up pride, has excluded not only humility but the teacher of humility, Christ, He who said: 'Learn from me because I am meek and humble of heart.' 1 He who introduces cupidity not only banishes largess, but even the giver of gifts, who for the increase of charity prohibits one from thinking of tomorrow. 2 He who welcomes artful gluttony not only despises fasting, but he shuts out the faster, He who fasted for forty days, and after He hungered. 3 He who heaps up luxury in his chambers, not only drives out holiness, without which no one has seen the Lord, but together with it he thrusts out Him who dedicated the glory of virginity in his mother, and began to fill the heavens with the fruits of its fecundity. Peter of Blois, from Sermon 65, To The People 1 Mt 11.29 2 Mt 6.34 3 Mt 4.2