Commentary on the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount with Seventeen Related Sermons

13 (Denis). CHRIST: THE GLORY OF MARTYRS

SERMON 13 (Den.)l Christ: The Glory of Martyrs (1) Because of the weariness of our audience, this discourse ought to be omitted, but for the sake of honoring the martyr it must be delivered. With the help of the Lord, therefore, it will be so modified as to be neither burdensome to our hearers nor insufficient for our purpose. A day of great solemnity has dawned in Rome, for vast crowds are assembling there to celebrate this feast. Although we are not among them in the flesh, we are nevertheless joined with them; for in spirit we are one with them, our brethren in one body under one Head. The commemoration of a martyr's merit is not confined to the place where his body lies entombed . In all places devotion is his due; for, although his body is laid to rest in a certain place, his soul is living in triumph with Him who is present everywhere. We are told that the blessed Lawrence had the physical appearance of a youth but the character of a mature and serious man, and that his youthful vigor, like an unfading garland, made him very attractive. He was a deacon, and therefore of lower rank than a bishop; but the crown of martyrdom has made him the equal of an apostle. This annual commemoration of all the glorious martyrs has been instituted in the Church in order that those' who have not witnessed their 1 See p. S07. n. l. This sermon was delivered in the basilica at Carthage . on the feast of St. Lawrence. August 10. 339 340 SAINT AUGUSTINE sufferings may be reminded of them by this commemoration and may be led to imitate the constancy of the martyrs,I for if a deed is not presented anew by a yearly commemoration , it may lose its hold on the hearts of men. But in all places there are some martyrs whose fervent commemoration cannot be held, because there would then be no day without such a commemoration, since you can find no day in which somewhere or other no martyr received the crown. If solemn feasts were being celebrated continuously they would occasion distaste, whereas intervening periods reenkindle desire. Let us follow what has been prescribed, let us look forward to what has been promised. On the occasion of the feast of any martyr, let us so prepare our hearts for the festival that we may not exclude ourselves from following his example. (2) The martyr was human; we, also, are human. By whom he was made, by that same Being we also were made. We have been redeemed by the same price with which he also was redeemed. So, it behooves no Christian to say: 'Why should I follow his example?' And of course no Christian ought to say: 'I will not follow his example.' You have heard the words of the blessed Cyprian, the trumpet and the exemplar of martyrs: 'In presecution, warfare receives the crown; in peace, constancy is rewarded.'3 Then let no man think that he lacks opportunity. The occasion for suffering is sometimes absent, but the opportunity for devotion 2 In the early days of Christianity a special yearly celebration was held for each martyr at the place where he or she suffered martyrdom. When the number of martyrs had become so great that a separate day could not be assigned for each. the Church instituted a common feast day for all the martyrs. This commom feast has evolved into the present-day Feast of All Saints. J The concluding words of the De exhortatione. St. Cyprian had been bishop of Carthage and had suffered martyrdom in that city. SELECTED SERMONS 341 is always present. And let no man think himself weak when God affords him strength, lest he not only fear for his own weakness but even lose trust in Him who works in him.· In fact, God has willed that both sexes and all ages be included as examples of martyrs. Aged men receive the crown; young men, adolescents, and children have also received it. And not men only, but women also have received the crown; and women of every age have received it. The woman did not say that because of her sex she was unequal to the task of overcoming the Devil. Rather, she became all the more determined to overthrow the enemy by whom she had...