699 the second word you, if only you desire [it], Heaven may be opened by Penance. “For all who have persevered in innocence from birth…” etc.27 We said that Penance opens Heaven; but it remains to be proven that we may conquer Heaven by Penance. John, the forerunner of the eternal Sun, attracted a great number of people of different states and genders, after he had begun to spread the rays of his teaching upon the Jordan River. He indeed illumined them in such a way that, having seen the darkness of their sins, they urged him to teach [them] how to avoid them. “What then shall we do?” (Lk 3:10). Then, seeing no other certain or solid way of recovering the light of grace than penance, he exhorted them all to penance with brief but efficacious words. He said, “Bear fruits that befit repentance” (Lk 3:8). Indeed, he persuaded the wealthy, who were not particularly generous to the poor, to holy almsgiving: “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise” (Lk 3:11). He also put reins on the avarice of the tax collectors: “Collect no more than is appointed you” (Lk 3:13). Finally, to the soldiers, a great many of whom indeed plundered and oppressed the poor to have means for a life of revelry and squandered the possessions of the defenseless on luxurious banquets and disgusting drinking bouts, John spoke in this manner: “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages” (Lk 3:14). This sermon of the Voice crying out in the desert was so effective, that it incited virtually entire legions of sinful men to storm Heaven by penance. To this the Heavenly Truth Himself has testified with great eloquence in these words recorded by Matthew: “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force” (Mt 11:12). Explaining this testimony, the learned interpreter Cornelius [à Lapide, SJ] says: “Sinners, such as the publicans, prostitutes, and Gentiles by an ardor of spirit and repentance wrest, snatch, and carry off the kingdom of Heaven even from the Pharisees 27 St. Stanislaus is here repeating the quote of Radulfus Ardens.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==