the mystical temple of god 648 To console the afflicted, not only by words but also by deeds, is a mercy not easily attained. Dido boasted of such a mercy in a poem of Virgil: “My own acquaintance with misfortune has been teaching me to help others who are in distress” (Aen. 1).190 Once an exile herself from Tyre, she gave a most kind welcome to the exile Aeneas on behalf of the whole of Carthage.191 This was indeed helping the afflicted by deeds (and she was a Gentile). In addition to words full of consolation, the faithful friends gave some gifts to Job: “each one gave him a piece of money and a gold ring” (Job 42:11). John comforted the Most Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God, shattered by the most cruel death of her most beloved Son; from that hour when he closed our most loving Savior in the tomb, he “took her into his home” (Jn 19:27). Encouraging his disciples our heavenly Teacher said: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (Jn 14:27). By contrast the prophet weeping over Jerusalem sang: “Bitterly she weeps at night, tears upon her cheeks, With no one to console her of all her dear ones; her friends have all betrayed her and become her enemies” (Lam 1:2). What is more painful than not to have someone who shows sympathy in one’s grief? What is more wicked than to add affliction to the afflicted? Beware of this, Christians, and when you can, cheer even your enemy when he is distressed. Victorious Alexander had mercy upon the defeated Darius:192 such things are not convenient for us. And yet we are commanded to weep 190 Virgilius Publius Maro, Aeneid I, vv. 627-630: The Works of Publius Virgilius Maro, Ed. C.H. Weise, Leipzig 1844, p. 119. The words quoted by the author here are found in the last verse of this stanza: “Therefore, come, gallant friends, and proceed to my home. A fortune not unlike yours has harassed me, and led me, too, through many tribulations, to rest at long last in this country. My own acquaintance with misfortune has been teaching me to help others who are in distress.” 191 See the explanation of this passage in Jarra, p. 43, footnote 1. 192 Alexander the Great, king of Macedonia (d. 323 B.C.). The author does not explain how Alexander “nobly had mercy” on Darius III, the Persian king, when he had conquered him. But perhaps the author is referring to the detail that after Darius was killed by his fellow countrymen, “Alexander had his corpse taken to Preside, where it was buried with all honors in the tomb of the kings.” Giannelli Giulio, Alexander III of Macedonia, the Great: EI II, 333.
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