examination of the heart 260 FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Before Holy Communion 1. “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees” (Mt 5:20). Consider how the truthful and holyMaster exhorts His disciples in their advancement and perfection, namely: that they zealously strive to make progress so that no one surpasses them in sanctity of life, and that they may surpass everyone in the excellence of their virtues, and thus obtain the heavenly Kingdom. As for you, make no less effort than this so that you may be the most perfect of all. Hence, stimulated by a kind of holy envy, try hard to surpass everybody by your virtues. Do not believe the opinion that it is sufficient for you to be at the same level as others. Do not doubt at all that when you think that that you stand with others in the highest degree of perfection, you remain in the lowest degree. For not unjustly does Christ admonish: “Be perfect, as also My Heavenly Father is perfect” (cf. Mt 5:48). Thus, the greatest Teacher of perfection wants you to have the perfection of God Himself. Therefore, let your righteousness exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, yet, since you depart from it so quickly and so often, beg God, who is about to come to you, to accomplish in you what He commands.114 2. “every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment” (Mt 5:22). Consider how seriously fraternal charity is commended to you, and at the same time realize that your soul is your brother. Indeed, you persecute your soul in anger whenever, as if out of envy for future glory you miss an occasion of merit. Also, you do the same by rushing along wholeheartedly to do evil things and 114 Cf. St. Augustine, Confessions, Trans. Henry Chadwick, Oxford University Press, Oxford — New York 1992, Bk. X, Ch. 29: “Grant what you command, and command what you will.” [Hereafter Confessions will be abbreviated as AC.] Cf. Augustinus, Soliloquia, in: Meditationes, Soliloquia et Manuale, Lugduni-Parisiis 1861, p. 136 (Ch. 18, § 5).
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