John Seleden’s
FOR THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY
Sermon 193
(1) When the Gospel was read today, we heard the words of the
angels through which the birth of Jesus Christ of the Virgin
Mary was announced to the shepherds; 'Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace among men of good will.'[1]
It was a jubilant and congratulatory message, not only for the
one woman whose womb had given us this offspring, but for the
whole human race for which the Virgin had brought forth a
Saviour. For it was fitting and proper that, instead of
insignificant women with kindly services, angels with divine
praises should do honor to the parturition of her who had
brought forth the Lord of heaven and earth and who had remained
inviolate after childbirth. Let us, then, who do not announce
His birth to shepherds of flocks, but who celebrate it with His
sheep, sing with as much jubilation as possible, with faithful
heart and devoted voice: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace among men of good will' Let us consider in faith and
hope and love these divine words, these praises of God, this
angelic jubilation, this whole scene viewed with all possible
profundity of thought. For, in proportion as we believe and hope
and desire, we, too, shall be a source of additional glory to
God in the highest when, after the resurrection of our spiritual
body, we shall be lifted up in the clouds to meet Christ,[2]
on condition, of course, that we work for peace with good will
while we are here on earth. This life is in the heavens because
that is the abode of the living, and, wherever the Lord Himself
is, there are good days and years without end. If any person
desires this life and longs to see these good days, let him
restrain his tongue from evil and his lips from deceit; let him
turn from evil and do good; let him thus be a man of good will.
Let him 'seek after peace and pursue it,'[3]
because 'peace on earth [is] among men of good will.'
(2) But, O man, if you say: 'Behold, to wish is within my power,
but I do not find the strength to accomplish what is good'; if
you are delighted 'with the law of God according to the inner
man, but [you] see another law in [your] members, warring
against the law of [your] mind and making [you] prisoner to the
law of sin that is in [your] members,' hold fast to your good
will and cry out in the following words of the Apostle: 'Unhappy
man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death?
The grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.'[4]
For He is 'peace on earth among men of good will,' coming after
the war in which 'the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the
spirit against the flesh; . . . so that you do not do what you
would,' since 'he himself is our peace, he it is who has made
both one.'[5]
Therefore, let your good will hold fast against evil desires
and, in its faithful endurance, let it beg for the help of the
grace of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Though the law of
its carnal members resists it and even overcomes it, let your
good will implore this help; let it not trust in its own
strength; let it, even in its weariness, not refuse to give
praise. For He will be at hand to say to those whom He has seen
trusting in Him: 'If you abide in my word, you shall be my
disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free.'[6]
He will be at hand, and His truth will free you from the body of
this death. It is on that account that Truth, whose birthday we
are celebrating, 'sprang forth from the earth'[7]
that peace might be on earth among men of good will. For, who is
capable of wishing and of accomplishing what he wishes unless
helped in the accomplishment by the inspiration of Him who, in
calling us into being, gave us the power to wish? Everywhere His
mercy anticipates our need so that we, who did not wish it, were
called and now have the power of being able to do what we
desire. Therefore, let us say to Him: 'I have sworn and am
determined to keep the judgments of thy justice.'[8]
I am determined, indeed, and because Thou hast commanded it, I
have promised to obey. However, since I 'see another law in my
members, warring against the law of my mind and making me
prisoner to the law of sin that is in my members,'[9]
'on that account I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly:
quicken thou me according to thy word.' For 'to wish is within
my power'; therefore, 'the free offerings of my mouth make
acceptable, O Lord,'[10]
so that peace may be produced on earth among men of good will.
Let us voice these words and any others which piety instructed
by good reading may suggest, so that we may worthily celebrate
the feast of the Lord who was born of the Virgin, beginning with
good will and accomplishing it with the utmost charity poured
forth in our hearts, not through our own efforts, but by the
Holy Spirit who has been given to us.'[11]
[1]
Luke 2.14.
[2]
Cf. 1 Thess. 4.17.
[3]
Cf. Ps. 33.15; 1 Peter 3.10.
[4]
Cf. Rom. 7.18-25.
[5]
Gal. 5.17-19; Eph. 2.14.
[6]
John 8.31-33.
[7]
Cf, Ps. 84.12.
[8]
Ps. 118.106.
[9]
Rom. 7,23; Ps. 118.107.
[10]
Rom. 7.18; Ps. 118.108.
[11]
Rom. 5.5.
______________________________
Adoration of the Shepherds
All rights reserved.