Vigils Reading

REPENT WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART

From a homily written in the 2nd Century

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Let us be sure that when the day of judgment comes, our place will be

among those who give thanks to God and have served him, and not with the

ungodly who face condemnation. As for myself, I am only a sinner, not yet

beyond the reach of temptation; but even amidst all the devil’s machinations I

still strive to make progress and hope to attain at least some virtue, for I fear the

judgment that awaits me.

My brothers and sisters, you have heard the word of God who is the very

fountainhead truth. Therefore, I now read you an appeal to heed what is

written, and thereby save both yourselves and your reader. The reward I ask is

that you repent with your whole heart, to save yourselves and find life. if we do

this, we shall set an example for all young people, for whom the glory and

goodness of God is a challenge to be generous in his service.

Let me say also that when we are given warning and corrected for doing

something wrong, we should not be so foolish as to take offense and be angry.

There are times when we are unconscious of the sins we commit because our

hearts are fickle, lacking in faith. Futile desires becloud our minds. We need to

pull ourselves up, therefore, because our very salvation is at stake.

Those who keep God’s commandments will have reason to rejoice. For a

short time in this world they may have to suffer, but they will rise again and their

reward will endure for ever. No one who holds God in reverence should grieve

over the hardships of this present time, for a time of blessedness is waiting. For

we will live again in heaven in the company of all those who have gone before us;

for all eternity we will rejoice, never to know sorrow again.

So do not be disturbed at the sight of the wicked possessing great wealth

while the servants of God suffer want. We…must have faith. Competing as we

are in the arena of the living God, we are receiving the training in this present

life that will make us worthy to be crowned in the life to come. Honest people do

not become rich overnight; they have to wait for the reward of their labors. If

God gave virtue an immediate recompense, we should straightway find

ourselves engaging in commerce, instead of perfecting ourselves in his service.

Although to all outward appearance we might be irreproachable, we should not

be seeking God, but our own advantage, and bringing down on our sinful souls

that divine judgment that would soon make us feel the full weight of our chains.

To the one invisible God, the Father of truth, who sent forth the Savior,

the author of immortality, and through him revealed to us the truth and the

heavenly life – to him be glory throughout all ages, for ever and ever.