Charity And Salvation

Videte, ergo, dilectissimi, quam sobrios operae pretium habemus esse, et vigiles, sicut beatus admonet apostolorum princeps, contra adversarium nostrum diabolum, qui tanta diligentia circuit, tanta vigilantia scrutatur omnem conversationem nostram, vitae modum, necessitates, infirmites corporum et morum, subitos ac varios eventuum casus, ipsasque naturae nostrae complexiones: sic ubi de nobis in nos aditum invenire poterit, et materiam, occasionemque tentandi. Quare minus soliciti sumus, fratres, occasiones salutis quaerere in alterutrum, ut ubi magis necessarium viderimus, magis invicem subveniamus, et alterutrum onera fraterna portemus? Hoc enim admonens beatus Apostolos ait: Alter alterius onera portate, et sic adimplebitis legem Christi. Et alibi: Supportantes, inquit, invicem in charitate. Ipsa nimirum lex Christi est: Quod in fratre meo aut ex necessitate, aut ex infirmitate corporis, sive morum incorrigibile cerno, quare non porto patienter, consolor libenter, sicut scriptum est: Pueri eorum in humeris portabuntur, et super genua consolabuntur. An quia illa mihi deest, quae omnia suffert, quae patiens est ut portet; benigna ut amet? Haec utique lex Christi est, qui vere languores nostros tulit passione, et dolores portavit compassione, amans quos portavit, portans quos amavit. Qui autem fratrem in necessitate aggreditur, qui infirmitati ejus cujuscunque generis insidiatur, legi diaboli se procul dubio subdit, et eam implet. Compatientes itaque invicem simus, et fraternitatis amatores, infirmitatum portatores, vitiorum insectatores, maxime qui pauci propter arduioris propositi disciplinam, in hanc abditam solitudinem et semotam ab orbe communi insulam, evasimus. Omnis enim disciplina, quae charitatem Dei, et ob ipsum proximi charitatem sectatur sincerius, quibuscunque observantiis vel habitu vivat, a Deo plus acceptatur. Ipsa enim est charitas, propter quam fieri vel non fieri, mutari vel non mutari omnia debent. Ipsa enim et principium quare, et finis ad quem dirigi omnia decet. Nihil enim fit culpabiliter, quod pro ea et secundum eam fit veraciter. Quod nobis ipse praestare dignetur qui, sine quo placere non possumus, et sine hac omnino non possumus qui vivit et regnat Deus per immortalia saecula. Isaac, Cisterciensis Abbas, Sermo XXXI Source: Migne PL 194.1792c-1793c

See, therefore, most dearest, how we must be sober for the reward of works, and watchful, as the blessed prince of the Apostles exhorts, 1 against our enemy the devil, who with such diligence circles around us, and with such vigilance watches all our conduct, our way of life, our needs, the infirmities of our body and morals, the sudden and varied fall of events, and the complexions of our nature, that he might find a way to enter into us, and the matter and occasion of temptation. Why, brothers, are we less than anxious to seek occasions of salvation in others, so that when we see them in need, we might give aid to one another, and bear one another's burdens? The Apostle exhorts this, saying: 'Bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.' 2 And elsewhere: 'Support one another in charity.' 3 Without doubt this is the law of Christ. That which I discern in my brother, either from necessity, or weakness of body, or incorrigible fault, why do I not bear with it patiently and give generous consolation? As it is written: 'Their children shall be carried on the shoulders, and on the knees they shall be comforted.' 4 Is it because I lack that which suffers all things, which endures what should be borne, and is kind enough to love? 5For this indeed is the law of Christ, He who in the passion bore our weaknesses and out of pity carried our sorrows, loving those He carried, carrying those He loved. But he who troubles a brother in need, who plots against him in any type of weakness, he certainly places himself under the law of the devil and he fulfils it. Thus let us be compassionate to one another, and lovers of fraternity, bearers of infirmity, foes of vices, especially we who are poor because of the way of a harder life, having gone out into this hidden and lonely island far from the common world. For every way of life, which sincerely pursues the love of God, and because of Him the love of neighbour, whatever its observance or customs, is more acceptable to God. For charity is the reason why something should be done or not done, changed or not changed. This is the beginning and end to which everything should be directed. Nothing is at fault which is done for this and in accordance with it. May He deign to grant us this, for without it we cannot please Him, and without this we cannot do anything at all. 6 Isaac of Stella, from Sermon 31 1 1 Pet 5.8 2 Galat 6.2 3 Ephes 4.2 4 Isaiah 66.12 5 1 Cor 13.4-7 6 Jn 15.5