Vigils Reading

A Reading from the Third Advent Sermon

of Bl. Guerric of Igny3

Be prepared now Israel to meet the Lord, for he is coming. And you too, my dear brethren, be prepared as well; for the Son of Man will come when you least expect him. He is coming, nothing is more certain than that; but when he will arrive – nothing is less certain. Right up to the last moment we will not know the actual time the Father in his almighty power has appointed. Even the angels who stand before him have not been given the privilege of knowing that day or hour… All we can say is that it is knocking at the door for the old, and lies in wait for the young. O that they would keep careful watch over themselves who see death so ready to enter, nay rather who see it entering. For has it not already entered, at least to some extent, a body grown senile and decrepit? Yet in many who are already half-dead one can see worldly desires still alive. The limbs are growing cold and the fire of avarice still burns within; life is coming to its end and ambition still strains ahead. Because our youth or health perhaps appear to promise some more years ahead of us death is not often before our eyes, but this is the very reason why, if we are wise, it should be in our thoughts, lest that day come like a thief in the night and find us unprepared and unready… There is therefore only one thing that makes us safe: never to think that we are safe. For fear makes a careful man always prepared until at length fear can give way to security and not security to fear.

Brethren, how beautiful and blessed it is not only to be without fear of death but with the assurance of a good conscience to triumph over it; in the spirit and words of St. Martin, to rebuke the foul beast if he dares to present himself, to open joyfully to the Judge when he comes and knocks. At that hour you will see unfortunates like me tremble, begging for a truce and having it denied them; wanting to buy the oil of penance for a sorrowing conscience and not having enough time; desirous of turning aside those ghostly specters and not being able to do so; anxious to hide away in the body from angry wrath and being forced to go forth. He will go forth, his spirit shall go forth and the sinner shall return into his earth whence he was drawn. In that day all their thoughts shall perish. It is only human, I know, to be distressed about the moment of our passage from the earth. Even the perfect wish not to be stripped but rather to be further clothed. And although their conscience does not in fact reproach them, yet since that is not where their justification lies, they must of necessity fear the unknown judgment.

When therefore you can say: “My heart is ready, O God,” because it is emptied of evil, “my heart is ready,” because it is full of holy desires, then busy yourself with what follows: “I will sing and recite a psalm.” And whatever may be your voice, singing or reciting, let this intention be in your mind: “Arise, my Glory, arise at my coming, for as far as in me lies I have gone to meet you.