731 the sixth word is not one that is whole.”96 It was not approved like the other works of God’s right hand, because — in the mind of God — it seemed to be only started and not finished. This is a lesson for those who begin their interior transformation: Once their penance is started, they ought to persevere in it, even until death. For penance is only perfect in every way and irrefutably deserving of eternal glory, when its completion comes with the end of one’s life. I will elaborate more upon this matter. Well suited to my theme is the well-known advice of the heavenly Teacher, who — through an elegant comparison — taught us to persevere in penance once it is begun. Considering this matter, He says: “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build, and was not able to finish’” (Lk 14:28-30). Now, He speaks about those who build, meaning not only those who erect new houses from their very foundations, but also those who repair the old ones. The human soul is the House of God, especially the soul of such a man who — burning with true love of God — has not become cold in the fulfillment of God’s commandments. The Son of God stated this very clearly in these words [in the Gospel] of John: “If a man loves [M]e, he will keep [M]y word, and my Father will love him, and [W]e will come to him and make our home with him” (Jn 14:23). One may ask: What is this efficacious love you speak of that turns human souls into the House of God? Answering this question, Gregory, the Great Pontiff and Doctor, states: “Only when we restrict ourselves from harmful pleasures do we truly love God and keep His commandments. For someone who constantly errs through his illicit desires surely does not love God, because he opposes God by his will.”97 96 Cf. Rupertus Tuitiensis, De Sancta Trinitate et Operibus eius, Commentarium in Genesim, l. I, 30, CChrL 21, 159. 97 Cf. Gregorius Magnus, S. Gregorii Magni XL Homiliarum in Evangelia Lib. II, Homil. XXX: PL 76, 1220 (n. 1575).
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