Vigils Reading – Weekday

THE UNKNOWN JUDGMENT
From the writing of Blessed Guerric of Igny6

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 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 may 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 bide 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. But whether it be attachment to this life, or lack of holiness, or fear of the judgment that troubles the soul the just man says: “You, O Lord, will remember mercy, and you will send your mercy and your truth and will deliver my soul from the midst of the young lions, and I who was up till now sore distressed, in peace in the selfsame I will sleep and will rest.”

God called the earth and it heard him with trembling. For when he made known judgment from heaven, at the very sound of it the earth trembled and then, purified by its terror, was at rest. Blessed are they who so purge themselves of all the dross of sin during this present life that at the moment of death they need no more than the purification effected by fear. As for me, a useless and negligent servant, it will go well if I am saved through fire, all the wood, hay and stubble that I have heaped up for myself consumed by the flames; or if I escape, only half-burned. And indeed, by comparison with the evil of damnation, it is a good thing to be saved by fire; without any doubt it is much better to be made perfect by the mere cleansing of fear; and best of all not to be disturbed even by fear.

6
(CF 8 : 15-16).