649 chapter 21: the restoration of the mystical temple with the weeping of the Apostle.193 And Christ our King and Lawgiver did not teach us anything else by his example, when “on seeing the city” in which he was soon to be killed, shortly to be ruined, “he wept over it” (Lk 19:41). One who knows his own weakness readily shows sympathy towards the spiritual fall of others. Philip Neri, that most renowned Father,194 used to say when he heard that somebody had committed a rather grave sin: “May God keep me from doing worse things.”195 Certainly if a disaster suffered by our neighbor can at times elicit our tears, a spiritual downfall ought to elicit them more. For what is more unfortunate than a man be made an enemy of God through sin? Such men are to be helped and comforted in every way. From this is derived another work. Admonishing the sinner. Many would correct their vices if they had prudent admonitors. I said ‘prudent.’ For admonition is seldom useful when employed with ardent zeal; not at all, when it is employed with furious anger. Just as men gradually grow accustomed to their vices, equally they are to be withdrawn from them. Violence is everywhere hurtful. Therefore David had, I believe, a very pleasant and cautious admonition of Nathan before his eyes when he sang: “The just man shall correct me in mercy, and shall reprove me: but let not the oil of the sinner fatten my head” (Ps 141:5) [LV]. The Apostle did not prescribe anything different: “Brothers,” he said, “even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit.” (Gal 6:1). But another’s failings should not be made known, before those who fail have been fraternally admonished in private. When a fault of an individual, and to a much greater extent the sin of 193 Cf. Rom 12:15. 194 St. Philip Neri (d. 1595). Cf. Gasbarri, Carlo, Filippo Neri: BSV, 760-789. 195 The author is paraphrasing the words of St. Philip. Cf. Cerri, Oreste, St. Philip Neri Anecdotes, Rome 1939, p. 253, where one reads: “When the Saint heard the story told about some grave offenses committed by someone, instead of being surprised or scandalized, joining his hands in an act of prayer he used to say: “Lord, put thy hands on my head, otherwise I also could do this and even worse!”
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