Vigils Reading

THE JUDGE’S SENTENCE

From “Rule of Life for a Recluse” by St Aelred of Rievaulx

◊◊◊

Imagine now that you are standing before Christ’s judgment-seat

between these two companies and have not yet been assigned to one or the

other. Turn your eyes to the left of the judge and gaze upon that wretched

multitude. What horror is there, what a stench, what fear, what grief? They

stand there miserable and unhappy, gnashing their teeth, their bare flesh

shaking with fear, dreadful to look upon, their faces distorted, cast down from

shame, in confusion because of their body’s degradation and nakedness. They

want to hide and they are not allowed, they try to flee and it is not granted them.

If they raise their eyes the Judge’s fury bears down upon them from above. If

they lower them they are filled with the horror of hell’s pit. They have no excuse

to offer for their crimes nor is there any chance of claiming that the judgment is

unfair, since whatever is decided their own conscience will recognize as just.

See now how you should love him who has set you apart from this doomed

company by his predestination, separated you by his call, cleansed you by his

justification. Now turn your eyes to the right and look at those among whom he

will place you by glorifying you. What grace is there, what honor, what

happiness, what security. Some take their seat on high to give judgment, some

are resplendent in martyrs’ crowns, some are bearing the white flower of

virginity, some display the fruit of almsgiving, some are illustrious for their

doctrine and their learning, but they are all united by the bond of charity. Jesus’

face shines upon them, not terrible but lovable, not bitter but sweet, not

frightening but attractive.

Now stand in the middle, not knowing to which company the Judge’s

sentence will assign you. O what a dreadful waiting. Fear and trembling have

come upon me and darkness has covered me. If he sends me to join those on the

left I cannot complain of injustice; if he sets me among those on the right it is to

be attributed to his grace, not to my merits. Truly, Lord, life is at your disposal.

You see then how your spirit should be absorbed in his love.

Although in all justice he could have extended to you the sentence passed

on the wicked, he preferred to place you among those who are to be saved.

Now imagine yourself associated with that holy company and hearing his

voice utter the decree: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom

which was prepared for you from the beginning of the world,” while those other

wretched souls hear the harsh words, full of anger and fury: “Depart from me, ye

accursed, into eternal fire.” “Then,” we read, “they will go to eternal

punishment, but the just to eternal life.” What a harsh separation, what a

miserable lot.