The Rewards Of Cleanliness

Et vos mundi estis... Notandum est autem quadruplex bonum, quod facit munditia spiritualis: servat innocentes, expedit laborantes, gratificat contemplantes, remunerat pervenientes. Servat innocentes a peccati contagione, sicut vides, quod aliquid tersum et politum non de facili contrahit rubiginem; Iob vigesimo secundo: Salvabitur innocens munditia manuum suarum. Expedit laborantes in actione, sicut diceres, quod aliquis, reiectes superfluitatibus et lotis manibus, paratus est ad serviendum; ideo in Psalmo quaeritur: Quis ascendet in montem Domini? Id est, in eminentiam virtutis, et sequitur: Innocens manibus et mundo corde, etc. Gratificat contemplantes in oratione; Proverbiorum vigesimo secundo: Qui diligit cordis munditiam propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem; Iob octavo: Si mundus et rectus incesseris, statim evigilabit ad te. Remunerat pervenientes beata visione, quae est merces gloriae; Matthaei quinto: Beati mundo corde, quoniam Deum videbunt. Sanctus Bonaventura, Collationes In Evangelium Ioannem, Caput XIII Source: Here, p599

And you are clean... 1 It should be noted that spiritual cleanliness makes a fourfold good. It guards the innocent, it aids in labours, it bestows contemplation, and it rewards those who achieve. It protects the innocent from the infection of sin, as you see that someone who is well groomed and refined does not easily contact illness. In the twenty second chapter of Job: 'The innocent shall be saved by the cleanliness of their hands.' 2 It aids labours in deeds, as you say that someone who puts away distractions and has hands washed is prepared to serve; therefore in the Psalm it says: 'Who shall ascend to the mount of the Lord?' 3 That is, to the peak of virtue. And it continues, 'He who has innocent hands and a clean heart.' It bestows contemplation in prayer. In the twenty second chapter of Proverbs: 'He who loves cleanliness of heart on account of the grace of his lips shall have the king as a friend.' 4 In the eighth chapter of Job: 'If you shall walk cleanly and uprightly, quickly he shall turn his eyes on you.' 5 And the reward of those who achieve is the beatific vision, which is the reward of glory. In Matthew chapter five: 'Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.' 6 Saint Bonaventura, Observations On The Gospel Of Saint John, Chapter 13 1 Jn 13.10 2 Job 22.30 3 Ps 23.3 4 Prov 22.11 5 Job 8.6 6 Mt 5.8