Vigils Reading

THE DIVINE REMEDIES

A sermon by St Leo the Great

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Apostolic teaching, beloved, exhorts us that we “put off the old man with

his deeds” and renew ourselves from day to day by a holy manner of life. For if

we are the temple of God, and if the Holy Spirit is a Dweller in our souls, as the

Apostle says: “You are the temple of the living God”, we must then strive with all

vigilance that the dwelling of our heart be not unworthy of so great a Guest. And

just as in houses made with hands, we see to it with praiseworthy diligence that

whatever may be damaged, either through the rain coming in, or by the wind in

storms, or by age itself, is promptly and carefully repaired, so must we with

unceasing concern take care that nothing disordered be found in our souls, that

nothing unclean be found there.

For though this dwelling of ours does not endure without the support of

its Maker, nor would the structure be safe without the watchful care of the

Builder, nevertheless since we are rational stones, and living material, the Hand

of our Maker has so fashioned us that even he who is being repaired may

cooperate with His Maker.

Let human obedience then not withdraw itself from the grace of God, nor

turn away from that Good without which it cannot be good. And should it find in

the fulfillment of His commands something that is difficult to accomplish or

beyond its powers, let it not remain apart, but rather turn to Him who

commands us, and who has laid on us this precept that He may both help us and

awaken in us the desire of Him, as the prophet tells us: “Cast your care upon the

Lord, and he shall sustain you”.

Or perhaps there is someone who prides himself beyond due measure,

and who imagines himself to be so untouched, so unblemished, that he has now

no need to renew himself. Such a belief is wholly deceiving, and he will grow old

in unceasing folly who believes that amid the temptations of this life he is safe

from all injury to his soul. All things are filled with dangers, filled with snares.

Desires inflame us, allurements lie in wait for us, the love of gain beguiles us,

losses frighten us, bitter are the tongues of detractors, and not always true the

lips of those who praise us. There hate rages against us; here the false friend

cheats us; so that it is easier to avoid discord than to shun deceit.

And since there are few so steadfast that no trial disturbs them, and since

not merely bad fortune but good also, corrupts many among the faithful, we

must use earnest care in treating the wounds by which our human mortality has

been injured… Since the Scripture says: “Who can say: my heart is clean, I am

pure from sin?”…let each one think within himself of the forgiveness he has

need of for his sins, and of the medicine he needs for the restoration of his soul.

When…should we more fittingly have recourse to the divine remedies

than when we are once again reminded of the mysteries of our redemption? And

that we may more worthily commemorate them, let us earnestly prepare

ourselves by these forty days of abstinence.