Sowing And Reaping

Hoc est in lacrymis seminare et gaudia metere, praecedentes vitae actus proprio confutare judicio, et lascivientem animam justo subdidisse supplico. Citio enim tristitia laetitiam consequitur, si districtionem judicis satisfactione praevenias, et admissi criminis culpas assidua castigatione confundas. Sed ne minorem ex hoc gratiam comparasse puteris, afflictis et moerore confectis subvenias, et causam tuam apud pauperes larga erogatione componas. Nam ita dicit Dominus: Beati misericordes, quoniam ipsis miserebitur Deus. Beati qui lugent, quoniam ipsi consolabuntur. Sanctus Valerianus Cemeliensis, Homilia XV, De Bono Martyrii Source: Migne PL 52.739c-d

This is to sow in tears and reap in joy, 1 to condemn the past deeds of one's life by one's own judgement and to subject a lustful soul to righteous punishment. Joy will swiftly follow sorrow if by satisfaction you anticipate the severity of the judge, and by steady chastisement you condemn the faults of the crimes you have committed. But lest you be thought to have stored up only a little grace by this, give help to those who are afflicted and who grieve, and improve your case by bountiful giving to the poor. For the Lord says, 'Blessed are the merciful, for God shall have mercy. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.' 2 Saint Valerian of Cimelium, from Homily 15, On The Good Of Martyrdom 1 Ps 125.5 2 Mt 5.7,5