Writings on the Spiritual Life

“The Monday After Palm Sunday” / Feria Secunda Post Dominicam in Palmis

“The Monday After Palm Sunday” Feria Secunda Post Dominicam in Palmis “The Monday after Palm Sunday”1 Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany.2 1. In this passage the way of our salvation is morally designed for us by three points, that is, with regard to the righteousness of the journey where the text reads: Six days before. With regard to the benefit of the goal where the text says: Passover. With regard to the wisdom of the one directing the journey where the text has: Jesus. 2. Relative to the first point it should be noted that the six days mean the spiritual exercise of the six illuminations that the spiritual sun shines in the soul through the presence of grace. – The first is shame in remembering one’s iniquity. The Psalm says: All day long my shame is before me, etc.3 And this on account of the purification of contrition, confession, and deeds or on account of the magnitude of the sins because they are as great as the one offended is great. Or on account of the multitude of the sins since the sinner abused everything. Or on account of the turpitude of the sins, for the soul, although it had been very beautiful, has now become very ugly through sin. This day corresponds to the first day of creation, during which light was made.4 For just as men and women do not blush at night, but during the day, the same holds true for the sinner. – The second is fear in consideration of the final judgment. The Psalm states: From the height of the day I will fear, etc.5 That is, from the profundity of abysmal judgment, because it will 1 See Sermons de diversis, I, Feria Secunda Post Dominicam in Palmis , 256-59; this translation has been done by Robert J. Karris, OFM. 2 See John 12:1. 3 Ps 43:16. 4 See Gen 1:3. 5 Ps 55:4. Writings on the Spiritual Life 386 be infallible, inflexible, inescapable. For nothing can be hidden from the judge. No one can revoke the sentence. No one whosoever can escape. This day corresponds to the second day in which the firmament was made that separates the heavenly waters from those below.6 So through fear of the judgment men and women will be set in the firm foundation of the good and be preserved from earthly fluctuation. – The third is sorrow because of a consideration of damnation. The Psalm states: All the day long I walked about in sorrow.7 And this on account of the loss of divine grace or friendship, on account of a wounded nature, on account of the loss of a former life. And this corresponds to the third day during which the dry land appeared, bearing green herbs and producing fruit.8 For the human heart, as long as it is covered by the waters of carnal affections, can have no purity and cannot produce the fruits of good deeds. – The fourth is clamor in pleading for help. The Psalmist says: Since I have cried to you all the day long, etc.9 One should cry out and invoke the help of the Trinity now. At another time the patronage of the Blessed Virgin. At yet another time the assistance of the entire Church Triumphant. And this corresponds to the fourth day during which the lights of the heaven were made,10 because then the charisms of graces are being sought. And these are the charisms of wisdom with regard to devotion, discretion with respect to governing one’s life, vigor relative to virtuous activity. These things are understood to be the sun, moon, and stars. – The fifth is rigor in extinguishing incentives to evil. The Psalm states: For your sake we are killed all 6 See Gen 1:6-7. 7 Ps 37:7. 8 See Gen 1:11-12. 9 Ps 85:3. 10 See Gen 1:16-17. Writings on the Spiritual Life 387 the day long, etc.11 And this by excluding and mortifying spiritual vanities, carnal desires, and temporal greed. And this corresponds to the fifth day, on which the fish in the waters were produced. If taken out of the water, they die. In like manner a religious, situated outside of the rigor of discipline...