In this Gospel, based on the matter touched upon, we shall bring home a fruit, and this fruit will be us to see which are the vices that do not allow us to receive the divine grace. From the Gospel and what the Evangelist says, I understand that they are three: the first is the concupiscence of the eyes in the way of vanity, and this is fund when the Gospel says: the woman came out of those regions. Second is the pride of the souls in the way of perversity, since she cried out to Christ. Third is the concupiscence of beasts in the way of sensuality, since [Jesus replied]: It is not good etc. By means of these three vices the devil controls our soul.
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1/2/7
T19/3 Tuesday after Invocavit
Johannes Gritsch [Conrad Grütsch]
Introduction
As Aristotle says, wonder is the beginning of philosophy («Quia homines propter admirari inceperunt philosophari»; 5T), the same happens to the Jews during the exodus in front of the manna and to the citizens of Jerusalem at the arrival of Jesus (cfr. thema).
Which is the most astonishing visible thing done by God? Three possible answers: creation; mercy towards sinners, which let them live and repent in this world; incarnation. The latter is clearly the answer chosen by the sermon and it is developed by quoting and commenting upon the first verses of Dante’s prayer to the Virgin Mary (Commedia, Paradiso, 33,1-9 – in Latin) [Dante is not mentioned but presented as «quidam sapiens» and «poeta» - poets]. The admired contemplation of the prodigy of the incarnation must move to love God so to reply to the question of the thema with the profession of faith.
Division
[Its introduction concerns only the second of the three parts]
First part
In the entrance to Jerusalem, Jesus is revealed as saviour of the humanity (connection with the singing of the Hosanna). Direct prayer directed towards Jesus, who is acknowledged as:
«potens es ad liberandum
promptus es ad adiuvandum
clemens es ad indulgendum» (6A).
1.1. Doctrine of the redemption («solus Iesus»), according to Anselm (Cur deus homo). It is introduced the story of Codrus, king of Athens, which is interpreted as an allegory of Christ’s voluntary incarnation and sacrifice for the salvation of the militant Church. [All the section depends on Robert Holcot]
1.2. The affirmation that Christ was ready to help the humanity prompts the explanation of why the incarnation did not occur earlier.
1.3. Christ’s mercy asks to discuss whether God wants to save everybody and what does it mean exactly. The sermon relies on Nicholas of Lyra triple explanation of 1 Timothy 2.3 and argues for a balance between mercy and justice. This leads to the quaestio whether the damned are more then the saved. The reply is built again on Augustine and Anselm - with the addition of Franciscan theologians, namely François de Meyronnes and Bonaventure. Interesting the remark on the salvation of non-Christian, which is imagined through the grace of a sudden and complete repentance at the moment of their death («Volunt etiam multi doctores quod deus multis gentilibus virtutes excellentibus hanc faciat gratiam ut unum gemitum emittant et malorum actuum recognitionem et quod sic eorum extremam penitentiam acceptet»; 6F). Yet, it remains that the damned are more than the saved.
Second part
The expulsion of the merchants and money changers from the temple, highlight that opposite things cannot coexist. The scene is symbol of the expulsion of the «nogotiatores de ecclesia». The discourse turns to the actual merchants and their sins, which open with a quite radical opening sentence («Mercator nunquam potet placere deo»), since they are usually fraudulent in in their work, particularly in three ways:
«Species diversas comiscendo
Pondera et mensura variando.
Defectus et rerum fracturas celando» (6H).
The sermon presents a series of situations and frauds common at the marketplace (including also frauds committed by buyers). Noteworthy: a positive reference to alchemy; description of adulterations of wine, with terminology given in German [macaronic / vernacular]; Beda’s description of a vision of saint Fursey, who sees three symbolic fires that represents the inextinguishable corruption prompted by merchants to all the world: falsity, greed, impiety. [Use of a quite old source to discuss about economic ethics - yet it is readapted to target the merchants].
Third part
Jesus teaches to separate oneself from the evil people, this must be done – on a moral level – through three transitions:
«De rebellione ad reconciliationem
De dissolutione ad religionem
De peregrinatione ad quietationem» (6N).
The first is the transition from sin to grace through penance, since Christ welcomes in his kingdom those who come back. Second, the entrance in the religious life, which is reserved to the most promising (image of the plants that are put in the viridarium so that they can produce more fruit) – the sermon discusses the simile between religious life and the vineyard, yet underlining that the transition must be complete, i.e. the roots must be planted there and not left in the world. It follows a brief quaestio on the superiority of the religious life on the secular life (again a reference to Anselm, to point out that the difference is between giving a fruit or giving the entire tree). The third transition is from this world to heaven, answering why God does not call people there while they are still completely innocent, i.e. as kids.
The end of the sermon emphasise that God is ready to kindle the fire of charity and penance, as said by Revelation 3.15 and shown by Peter’s conversion.
... salvation of non-Christian , which is imagined through the
grace
of a sudden and complete repentance at the moment of...
... quietationem» (6N). The first is the transition from sin to
grace
through penance , since Christ welcomes in his kingdom...
1/2/8
T19/4 Wednesday after Invocavit
Johannes Gritsch [Conrad Grütsch]
Introduction
As poison is worse than a sword and a false friend worse than a false coin, so it was the falsity and simulation of the Pharisees who asked Jesus for a sign. This leads to two brief quaestiones: whether and how it is licit to praise other people; why the Pharisees sinned mortally by calling Jesus "master" – although he was it. The latter include a discussion on how action and intention need to be joined, since both need to follow the law of God.
Division
-
First part
Main theme is ingratitude, first presented by commenting the Gospel episode (postillatio) and then moraliter by considering the Christians who – having received more benefits than the Jews – must thank God (reference to moral teaching of Seneca and, on a spiritual level, in particular to the special gift of the eucharist). Three possible mistakes:
“De huius modi beneficiis et donis acceptis:
Quidam de deo non cogitant.
Quidam deum de beneficiis non honorant.
Quidam dei beneficia exasperant” (6V).
1.1. To forget the benefits that God gave connectes with the sensuality of the flesh (voluptas carni) – reference to Plato and the opposition between soul and body.
1.2. Ungrateful people who do not give thanks to God are like a pork, which eats acorns without looking at the tree, i.e. without raising its eyes. An exemplum from the Vitas patrum: in a vision an old monk sees part of his fellow monks eating white bread and honey, while the others eating shit (stercus). The first are those who «in timore et gratiarum actione sedent at mensam», while the other are those who «murmurant, detrahunt et male locuntur in mensa, nec gratias dicunt» (6X).
1.3. Ungrateful is also to ask continuously God for more, without realizing that in the Passion everything has already been given to us. Seneca’s exemplum (De beneficiis) of the condemnation of a soldier ungrateful with the one who saved him from shipwreck. Allegorical application to the Christians, saved from death (the shipwrek), welcomed at home (the church), nourished with the eucharist: they promise a lot and then maintain very little («multa promittimus et pauca solvimus»; 6Y [note the use of the first person plural]), so Christ – the saviour - will expose our fault in front of God the father, who will impress the marks (stigmata) of eternal damnation on them.
Second part
Interpretation of the parable of the return of the unclean spirit (parable): in the allegory (allegorice), the devil has left the gentile, who welcomed Christ with faith, and now inhabits the Jews («ideo recendente dyabolo a gentilibus ad iudeos est reversus, in quibus nunc per infidelitatem et obstinationem dicitur inhabitare»; 6Z). On a moral level (moraliter), the parable concerns the recidivist who returns to sin and the danger of his/her condition, since «per talem recidivationem sit:
Homo debilior ad resurgendum.
Dyabolus fortior ad invadendum.
Deus difficilior ad indulgendum».
2.1. By repeating a sin, a person gets less sensible to its relevance and more tied to it do to the habit. Image of the fish or bird in the net.
2.2. Moral interpretation of the parable. The devil is expelled by penance, yet it might come back – it has no power but it can knock at the door of the heart both using fantasies in the memory («movendo fantasmata malorum in memoria reservata incendendo per desiderium amoris»; 6Z) or using the seven vices (seven capital sins). A quaestio about how can be interpret the return of previous sins, if they were forgiven. Indeed, it is the new sin of ungratefulness for their forgiveness that is added to the new sins. Hence, one has to confess it without repeating the confession of all the previous sins (unclear reference: «ut dicit Lodovicus in summa sua») [note the pastoral outcome of this interpretation].
2.3. God is less ready to forgive those who repeatedly despised his mercy. Discussion whether the repetition of a sin makes it worst, with a detailed reference to the position of Bonaventure, who depicted four stages of sin: interior consent; action; habit; final absence of repentance. The last stage is final and cannot be forgiven, while the other three are connected with the three episodes of resurrections in the Gospel, which symbolically happen in three different places: at home, on the door of the city, in the tomb.
Third part
Jesus praises the grace given to those who perform good deeds. Explanation of the scene of the Gospel, when the Virgin Mary and the relatives of Jesus call him outside. It was an insidious request, since he would abandon his pastoral engagement showing human feelings. On a moral level, it teaches that one must choose by considering the utility and dignity of things, and this is true also at a spiritual level.
«Ideo quilibet debet ea [spiritualia] preeligere et preponere et hoc quo ad tria, scilicet:
Temporis prioritatem.
Intentionis principalitatem.
Ordinis dignitatem» (7E).
3.1. One must choose virtue while s/he is young, without waiting the old age – simile of the wax, flexible only when is hot. And exemplum of the miller who had a donkey, which he did not force when it was young, and that later on refused to work and kicked the miller, killing him. The donkey symbolizes the body: if it is not dominated when one is young, it would condemn him/her to the eternal death.
3.2. Centrality of the intention - and quaestio on how to interpret the command: «Omnia in gloriam dei facite» (1 Corinthians 10 ). The solution seems to be not that each act needs to be directly connected to the glory of God, but that it becomes an habit, as the direct exhortation sates: «Ad hoc enim debemus tendere et hoc desiderare, quod ad talem statum perveniamus quod omnes actiones nostras et affectiones principlai intentione ad deum referamus» (6I).
3.3. The necessity to put spiritual before worldly things is exemplified by saint Luis of Toulouse, quoting John XXII’s the bull of canonization («unde in bulla eius translatione scribit Iohnnis Papa XXII: Ludovicus ut sol refulgens in virtute ...»; 6K).
... the city, in the tomb. Third part Jesus praises the
grace
given to those who perform good deeds. Explanation...
3/6/22
T20/3 Tuesday after Reminiscere
Vicent Ferrer
Introduction
“Tempus istud quadragesimale et thema dant mihi motivum de quadam materia predicandi multi utili et necessaria persone que stat in peccato mortali et mala vita quo poterit exire peccatum per gratiam dei” (f. s6r).
On the word surge and the story of Elijah, first a litteral interpretation and then “iuxta intellectum tropologicum vel moralem” (moral interpretation): land of Israel = the condition of sin. Ferrer explains the dynamic of retribution. The good works done in mortal sin have no merit but are useful, with an earthly reward and may contribute to return in the state of grace (“si continuaveris bonum opus retrahet te de peccato nec permittet te mori in mortali”). Yet, even after conversion, they will remain without eternal reward (this is true also for saints, such as Paul and Mary Magdalene, whose good works done before conversion were unremunerated). Key biblical text John 15: “quia sine me nihil potetis facerer”.
Sarepta = penance, which allow to raise from mortal sin: “Iuxta intellectum spiritualem modo videamus quomodo surget persona que diu dormit in peccato mortali”; list of biblical passages on surge/surgite.
Division
On rising from sin by tmeans divine grace, explained with the simile of getting out of bed in eight actions (see above). The sermon is structured around these eight actions.
Main part
1) Opening the eyes = recognize sin, through grace - each one according to his/her state of life (exempla from religious life). Reference to David and Psalm 50 (Miserere).
2) Sitting up on the bed = contrition (with distinction from attrition). Example - giving voice to direct discourse - of a friar and a sentenced to death. True contrition: matter = pain of sins; form = awarness of having offended God.
3) Getting up, not naked but with a shirt = good resolution to amend, will to wear the new man (not yet effective, but it functions as a martyr's desire: it is already meritorious). The sermons dwells on the example of the loss of virginity and the impossibility of recovering it.
4) Go away from bed = abandon bad company (poet's quote: "Que nocitura tenes quamvis sint cara relique"; Distica Catonis?). Utmost clearly Christ: if a member is a scandal to you, cut it. It must be understood in a figurative sense (it recals the theme of the hand as an "organum organorum"), cut off dangerous relationships (servants, procurator, confessor, teachers...).
5) To spit abundantly (“spuit non solum materiam parvam sed grossam”) = confession
6) Put on the shoes = forget past offenses and renounce to revenge: “Beatus qui potest dicere non habeo odium in corde”.
7) Put n the belt = repaying debts, fixing damages, and living soberly (“minuendo excessum et ornamenta vana”).
8) Wash hands (and face) = almsgiving. Sevral practical practical advice [already encountered in the Lenten sermon colletion]: a) divide the cash box in two ("in capsa"), so as not to mix badly acquired money with others - so that seeing them may arouse remorse and push one to return them; b) don't put the leftover food back in the pantry and don't give it to the dogs - it must be given to the poor.
...reward and may contribute to return in the state of
grace
(“si continuaveris bonum opus retrahet te de peccato...
... _surge/surgite_. Division On rising from sin by tmeans divine
grace
, explained with the simile of getting out of bed in...
1/2/41
T24/2 Monday after Palm Sunday
Johannes Gritsch [Conrad Grütsch]
Introduction
Using an analogy with Aristotelian natural and violent motions, it is shown how the human works, if done with free will, are more fruitful and more praiseworthy than those done out of necessity or obligation 39Z. In the same way, Christ's redemption was accomplished without constraint and by his will, with an increasing dedication from his childhood until martyrdom. 40AQuestio: whether soldiers who fight for the common good are to be considered virtuous. The answer is affirmative: those who fight for justice exercise the cardinal virtue of fortitude, as opposed to those who fight for revenge, who commit sin. Just as a painted man resembles, but is not, a man, likewise those who act virtuously only in a fictitious manner are not strong, nor do they exercise the virtue of fortitude. Such dissimulation manifests itself on three occasions:
- Those who fight out of recklessness of danger because they are emboldened by previous victories or overconfident in their military skills.
- Those who fight under the impulse of sadness or anger.
- Those who fight to acquire temporal goods or dignities.
40BQuestio: whether spiritual people lack the virtue of fortitude, since they cannot bear arms or shed blood. The answer is negative, since clergymen fight a spiritual battle bearing spiritual weapons (tears, prayers) against the (carnal) traps of the devil: “Iustorum fortitudo est carnem vincere, propriis voluptatibus contraire, delectationem presentis vite extinguere”.
First part
Jesus went to Bethany and dined at the house of Simon the Leper together with Martha and Lazarus of Bethania to refresh people's memory about the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection. 40C Participation in the communal table is a sign of love. As the episode of the Samaritan woman (John 4) manifests, enemies neither drink nor eat together. Likewise, Christians must not eat with Jews since they are enemies of Christ. Moreover, a banquet is more insidious than a conversation, since it is easier to deceive between meals, as happened to Herod in the episode of the beheading of John the Baptist. 40D Here the preacher introduces an exhortation to believe by faith and to accept preaching.
“Ad hunc igitur sincerissimum amicum anime recipiendum ad pulsationem eius statim sine mora persona devota debet ancillas tres scilicet:
Fidem mittere ut ianuam cordis aperiat.
Spem substituere ut cenam et locum disponat.
Caritatem dirigere ut fercula apponat”.
The theme of the banquet symbolizes the reception of Christ in the soul, with the help of the three handmaidens: faith, hope, and charity.
1.1. About faith (40E). Without faith it is impossible to please God; indeed, the virtues of philosophers and the sacrifices of Jews and pagans are sterile without it and do not lead to eternal life: “Hec cum sola est fecunda filia Dei [i.e. fides] vivam prolem procreans, sine qua omnes alie virtutes steriles sunt et abortiva producunt”. The same possibility of procreating a child was made possible for Sarah and Abraham by the latter's faith in the promise of God (Genesis 15). 40F The sermon addresses two doubts: a) If faith precedes charity in the natural order; b) If faith is the virtue that leads to eternal life because it precedes charity. 40G The answers are formulated based on the concepts of formless faith and faith formed by charity (fides caritate formata).
1.2. 40H About hope. After Christ has been received as a guest, through faith and charity, the believer will firmly trust in his Word, and must therefore hope that what one does for Christ will be rewarded with the inestimable prize of eternal life. One would wash the feet of Christ [as Mary Magdalene in the pericope of the day] by realising how, by sinning he/she has driven the divine guest out from his dwelling; by repenting, one wets the feet of Christ with tears and, through the admonitions of the handmaid Hope, begins his/her own good works, clothing the needy and not shunning anyone from his table. Reference to Matthew 25.40: “Quicquid uni ex fratribus meis minimis fecistis mihi fecistis”. 40I No one should hope for or expect the eternal life except those who do good works, for hope consists in the certain expectation of future eternal beatitude by the grace of God and by the merits gained beforehand: who is not deserving, must receive nothing.
1.3. About charity [which has been indeed discussed together with faith]. Charity must handle the courses at Christ's banquet. They must be prepared with love so that they will have flavour: “Tolle caritatem et odium tenet”. The sermon introduces a further subdivision:
“Debet ergo Caritas Christo primo offerre: 1) Gressibilia per sedulitatem operacionis. 2) Aquatica per sinceritatem religionis. 3) Altilia per suavitatem contemplationis”.
The first course will be the meat of the earthly animals, symbolising the Christian's work of obeying the Ten Commandments. Clear and pure wine must be added to this course, symbolising the intention to fulfil the divine precepts due to filial respect and not servile fear. Can one have access to eternal life without faith? Christ answers that anyone who wants to be saved must put the Catholic faith before any other (Athanasius). To the question whether then Abraham and Isaac, who kept the commandments, were condemned, the answer is negative, since they had faith infused in their spirit and believed beforehand in Christ’s coming.
The second course will be fish, symbolising the adversities in which the perfect people must 'swim', since “Deus solum illos quos amat castigat” (cf. Revelation 3.19). This course will be accompanied by red wine, the symbol of Christ's Passion. Can one enter the Kingdom of heaven without adversity? Christ answers that only through great tribulations one can gain access (cf. Acts of the Apostles 14).
The third course will be noble poultry meat [birds], as symbol of extraordinary achievements and of following the consilia of Christ [Evangelical counsels], not common to all people but only to the most perfect. This course will be accompanied by aromatic wine (claretum), symbol of joy.
Second part
The sermon reprises the biblical episode of Christ's supper with Lazarus and Magdalene. The theme of the separation of the soul from the body is presented, with a comparison between what Lazarus of Bethania experienced and what Christ would experience. 40K Discussion on the value of the anointing of Jesus by the Magdalene and the gifts sent by Jacob to his brother Esau (Genesis 32): It is only through the 'hidden' works of piety and almsgiving towards the poor that we can atone for the sins that anger God against us. Thus, aware of her own guilt, the Magdalene appeased Jesus through anointing (40L).
“De quibus operibus pietatis hodie proponitur unum de unctione. Debemus et nos Christum de receptis beneficiis spiritualiter inungere triplici nobili unguento scilicet: 1) Dolentis contritionis. 2) Gementis compassionis. 3) Ferventis devotionis”.
2.1. The ointment of sorrowful contrition is portrayed by depicting the preparation of the ointment using the vile herbs, symbols of sins born of evil intentions and collected in one's conscience. The ointment produced from this juice will be curative for mortal wounds and will cleanse the sinful soul and satisfy God in face of the offences committed. Exemplification through the episode in which Judith washed and anointed herself with myrrh. 40M Several questions are discussed, namely whether a confession without bitter repentance and without the intention not to sin again can be allowed; what is the relationship between the greatness of sin and the purity of contrition and, finally, (40N) whether the intensity of pain can be excessive in contrition.
2.2. The second ointment (40O) is to be prepared from bitter herbs in memory of the bitter Passion of Christ. These are to be gathered from the garden of the Church, where the weaknesses of poor Christians abound. The ointment is likened to that used by the Good Samaritan to heal wounds (Luke 10.34); theme of compassion for one's neighbour.
2.3. The third ointment (40P) of fervent devotion is produced from the noble and salutary plants that are the works of God's piety and especially the bitter and salvific death of Christ. It is represented as the ointment used by Mary Magdalene [the pericope of the day].
Third part
The invective of Judas against Mary Magdalene's actions is discussed (40Q) . He is moved by avarice although he claims to be interested in the poor. A warning is thus given about the danger of detractors of the righteous (detractio), who disguise their intentions under the guise of charity and piety. The concept of infidelity is analysed in three points:
“Infedelitas autem ut in plurimum in tribus solet comitti, scilicet: 1) Fractione promissionis. 2) Deceptione commissionis. 3) Suppletione omissionis”.
3.1. Discussion on those who break their word, with some cautions to be taken against the treacherous. 40R As positive exemplum, the myth of Damon and Pythias exemplify the values of trust and friendship. 40S It is stated that falsity reigns everywhere, making every human action unsafe. Similar to a wolf are those who in times of trouble invoke God and the saints but, once freed from danger, forget their promises. Not keeping one’s word, particularly towards the deity, is exemplified through the myth of Hercules and Laomedon, narrated by Ovid40T. Questio on which is the greater obligation between an oath and a vow.
3.2. The second type of infidelity manifests itself whenever one performs a duty (commissio). Rare are the faithful servants who spend faithfully and without personal profit the master’s goods (cf. Luke 12). Various are the types of unfaithfulservants and administrators:
- those who rob their master;
- guardians and curators who disperse the assets of pupils and, similarly, procurators of churches and monasteries, tax officials, etc. Two virtuous exampla of administrators are presented: the consul Lucius Valerius (Agostine, De Civitate Dei) and Joseph (patriarch) (Genesis 41);
- the fraudulent. Exemplum (Augustine in De Trinitate) of the mime who identifies the desire to buy cheaply and sell dearly as what accomunate all his spectators: “Vile vultis emere et care vendere” (40Y). Questio: whether it is possible to resell at an increased price what one has bought. Distinction between the sale of objects that required additional work and speculation; those who speculate are liked to the merchants driven out of the temple by Jesus.
3. The third infidelity (40Z) consists in deprivation, especially regarding restitution of fraudulent gains, not returned goods, or partial restitutions. Questio: whether one who has been damaged in the body should be compensated. Distinction between irreparable and curable damage (with references to the lex talionis). 41AQuestio: Whether one should be rewarded if one is damaged in the goods of the soul (inclining to sin). 41B Discussion of three modes of defamation, according to Duns Scotus.
... certain expectation of future eternal beatitude by the
grace
of God and by the merit s gained beforehand: who is...
1/1/1
T18/4 Ash Wednesday
Johannes Gritsch [Conrad Grütsch]
Introduction
Natural gold ≠ artificial gold (IA). To eat the gold dust provides strength and protect from leprosy (references to Avicenna and Platearius). The artificial gold is exteriorly similar but without these quality (it’s only an expense and a waste of time and work). The same is true with good works. When they are done with the correct intention, i.e. to glorify God, they protect you from the leprosy of sin. Yet, if they are done "cum sinistra intentione", i.e. for your own glory, they have only an exterior appearance, but without any merit. Biblical reference (Cain and Abel) and to canon law.
Questio: "Utrum existens in peccato mortali vel faciens aliquod opus de genere bonorum sinistra intentione frustretur omni premio et nihil mereatur sua operatione" (IB). In the reply, the key authority is Bonaventure: a sinner should not stop from doing good works, since they prepare to receive the grace and dispose to conversion. Distinction between alive works and death works: “Oportet enim quod prius quis desinat esse vitiosus quam incipiat esse virtuosus, et naturaliter remissio peccatorum precedit infusionem gratie” (ID). This leads to discuss about Lent. Since God wants to grant abundant graces for the feast of the Resurrection, hence the Church organized this penitential time so to help the faithful to be ready to welcome them: “ut huius igitur simus capaces ordinavit mater ecclesia vigiliam scilicet tempus penitentie et dispositionis per XL dies quod hodie incipit et omni die aliquod preparativum ponit atque ipsius gratie speciale dispositivum”.
Divisio (see above) - based on the whole pericope not on the themaFirst partFasting and abstinence should not be hypocritical (in discussing the pericope, note the distinction between litterliter and moraliter). Three main fruits of fasting:
Comprimit canis vitia
Elevat mentem ad superna
Dinat virtutem contra demonia
1.1. Fasting serves to rule the flesh (which is the horse of the soul...). Yet crucial is fasting from sin (IF). Question on who must fast, and list of the categories which are exempted (IG).
1.2. Fasting elevates the mind (series of exempla and ¬auctoritates). Question: if drinking clouds the mind more than eating, why does Lent require fasting from food? (II)
1.3. Fasting wins over devils. Natural example: the elephant wins over the dragon when it has an empty stomach. Question about the type of forbitten food - dairy and eggs are connected with the production of semen and so an arousal to lust (basic notions of medicine): “ex eorum commestione plus superfluit ut vertatur in materiam seminis cuius multiplicatio est maximum incitamentum luxurie” (IK).
Second part
Appeal to the moderation and the detachment from worldly things. Moraliter: Contraposition among the ancient philosophers about the true richness and happiness of human beings. Epicurean stated the earthly goods (the sermon harshly attacks them) while the Peripatetics said it was virtue, sit it cannot be lost (“qua non servantur in bursa sed in anima”; IL). Positive examples are Socrates renounced to gold (reference taken from the Decretum) and Boethius. Christ is put in the same line of the Peripatetics (“Hanc etiam opinionem doctor noster Christus tenuit...”; IM). One has not to treasure things on hearth for three reasons:
Periculose et damnabilies
Nocive et instabiles
Infructuose et steriles
2.1. When one looks for richness, s/he is exposed to dangers such as lie, fraud, usury, robbery. Here the sermon quotes the whole parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) and the sentence on the simplicity of the birds (“Nolite soliciti esse...”; Matthew 6.36). Distinction between different ways of “solicitudo circa temporalia”: necessary, unnecessary, immoral (“talis fuerat in Iudeis et Pylato, timentes ne perderent regnum quod possidebant occiderunt Christum” IN), erroneus. The Gospel criticizes the last three, not the necessary sollicity (such as in sowing or harvesting etc).
2.2. Their possession is harmful, since provokes anxiety and insecurity. Reference to the episode of the encounter of Augustine with the poor person in the Confessiones (IO).
2.3. They are infructuous and make also virtuous people infructuous (internal reference to XIXQ).
Third part
Necessity of a virtuous behaviour for the eternal reward. Crucial is to have an holy and immaculate life (“vita sancta et immaculata”).
Erarium disponere
Divicias reponere
Custodiam apponere
3.1. Direct parenetic address to the listener in the last section: “Nunc ergo peccator audi me, et deus exaudiet te. Vita tua mors est et vana vita. Vis ergo apprehendere veram vitam, noli alta sapere [...] Per illa enim que tibi dat suadet exire a peccato [...]. Cur ergo bonam mortem desideras et vitam bonam non curas? [...] Iam persuasus es a deo ut recedas a malo”. Dangerous to postpone a good decision: “O frater, noli claudere hostium venie... [...] Iam deus pulsat ad hostium”
3.2. A laborious life of virtue keeps and increases the treasure, since it creates the habitus of virtue.
3.3. The custody of the senses is the protection one needs, since they are the gates of the heart.
... doing good works, since they prepare to receive the
grace
and dispose to conversion . Distinction between alive...
1/1/2
T18/5 Thursday after Cinerum
Johannes Gritsch [Conrad Grütsch]
Introduction
Parallel between illness and sin: one has to remember the sins and present them now to the physician of the soul, without waiting the final judgment when they will be recalled in front of everyone. “Debemus ergo stimulo peccatorum in coscientia cum centurionem Christum invocare” (note the use of plural person). The servant ill at home is the soul wounded by sins in the body that is unable to move, i.e. to perform good works [1U].
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Three questiones
“Queritur utrum aliquid peccatum mortale sit ita grave quod per dei misericordiam non possit deleri” [1X]. All type of mortal sin can be forgiven by the divine mercy in this life. It follows the interpretation of the biblical passage on the sin against the Holy Spirit.
“Queritur secundo an sit aliquid peccatum ita leve quod absque dei misericordia possit removeri” [1Y]. Every sin is against God, so even the allegedly lesser sin cannot be forgiven without divine mercy, i.e. it needs the previous intervention of grace, which provokes contrition in conscience: “offensa non remittitur nisi per gratiam que causat benignitatem contritionis in coscientia”.
“[Queritur] tertio an unum peccatum mortale sine alio per dei gratiam possit removeri” [1Z]. No mortal sin can be forgiven if other equal sin remains, since the divine grace is incompatible with it. The confession of sins needs to be complete.
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Divisio (see above)
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First part
First “circa literam” (postil to the pericope) and then moraliter: the servant becomes the soul of a friend in Purgatory (“designari potest amicus defunctus cuiuslibet fidelis viventis [...] quod ut miser in purgatorio detinetur et torquetur”; 2A). In particularly, one must suffrage for the souls of his parents for three reasons:
Familiaritatis et caritatis, quia puer sive servus;
Debilitatis, quia iacet paraliticus;
Penalitatis, quia male torquatur.
1.1 Natural exempla: storks take care of their old parents, covering them with their fathers and feeding them; other birds protect those hit by the sun, with a ¬a fortiori reasoning, “quantomagis homines” need to provide for the relatives and friends in Purgatory with prayer and almsgiving [2B]. Note the use of the first-person plural, inclusive and parenetic. Four types of suffrages: the offer of priests, the prayer of saints, the alms of friends, the fasting of relatives. The power of the mass for the deaths is underlined, referring an exemplum by Gregory the Great: “volens igitur parentes et amicos celeriter a vinculis purgatori liberari faciat pro eis missas celebrari” [2C]. Shorter on almsgiving [2E].
1.2 Weakness of the souls in Purgatory, since they cannot gain merit and help themselves. Within the mystical body of the Church, one can benefit another.
1.3 Are the pain in purgatory superiors to those on earth? Yes.
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Second part
Centurion’s humility, and the goods that derive from it:
patris [celestis] furorem placare
hominem a dyabolo liberare
donum gratie abundanter procreare
2.1. Humility is effective against divine wrath, as a plant able to bow resists to the strongest winds. Fable of the oak and the reed by Aesop: “Propter quod fabulose dicitur [...] inter quercum et arundinem”. Oak is rigid and strong, it does not flex (no humility), is broken by the wind and asks the reed how it survived. In the same way happens in front of the divine wrath one has to humiliate itself opposing no resistance; exemplum of Socrates and the tyrant [2I].
2.2. The devil has no power on humble people: they are like small fishes that escape from his net [2K]. Reference to the example (figura) of Hezekiah discussed by the epistle of the day.
2.3. Divine grace is like water, which flow towards and fill in the lower places. Example is the humility of the Virgin Mary that became “full of grace”. In the same way, Abraham and the centurion.
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Third part
Firm faith is the radix, the foundation of every good (“firma fides vel credulitas est fundamentum omnins boni”), since it is said: Iustus ex fide vivit (Galatians 3:11). From faith:
Peccatorum remissionem
Demoniorum confusionem
Optatorum consecutionem
3.1. From faith the remission of sins. Different ways to believe: credere deo, credere deum, credere in deum (i.e. “credendo in eum tendere cum amore”; 2L).
3.2. Faith chases devils away. Reference to “Papias in exphositione super Iuvenalem” (Juvenalis): the shield given to Achilles descends from the sky, which symbolizes Christ who descends from heaven to preach the faith, identified with the shield [2N].
3.3. How faith allows to reach the desired goals is demonstrated by an exemplum about Alexander the Great: “narrat magister in hystoriis quod cum Alexander magnus venisset ad montem Caspios...”
... divine mercy, i.e. it needs the previous intervention of
grace
, which provokes contrition in conscience: “offensa...
... forgiven if other equal sin remains, since the divine
grace
is incompatible with it. The confession of sins needs...
... Hezekiah discussed by the epistle of the day. 2.3. Divine
grace
is like water, which flow towards and fill in the lower...
1/1/3
T18/6 Friday after Cinerum
Johannes Gritsch [Conrad Grütsch]
Introduction
Three quaestiones: Why it is more meritorious (merit) to love the enemies and how should be done (references to Peter Lombard and Thomas Aquinas). How one can do it (reference to Augustine). In which way one has to forgive the insults, namely by giving up on rancour and its signs, yet asking for the restitution of goods and reputation.
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Division [Note references to previous days]
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First part
Foundation of all is mutual love (caritas). “Debemos ergo nos invicem amare” in three ways:
Debitum persolvendum
Eternum premium conseguendum
Damnationis periculum evadendum
1.1. Forgive all debts, as requested in the Pater noster and quoting the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35).
1.2. Love is laborious but it yields an exrtraordinary eternal reward: “est grande labor in hoc seculo, sed grande premium in futuro”. The example is saint Stephen [2T].
1.3. Hatred is deathly dangerous, it must be avoided, since it is like an mortal wound hidden in the mind and darkening the soul: “qui enim odit habet in mente letale vulnus et gerit in corde tenebris peccatorum” [2V].
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Second part
Actions are good or bad depending on intention, this idea is applied to fasting, prayer and almsgiving. This applies even to the crucifixion of Christ: it is undoubtedly a good work, since from it salvation derives, yet the Jews (indicated as perpetrators) did not receive any reward, since they did it out of envy [2X]. “Deus enim cor interrogat et non manum” – interior intention is crucial.
Superius elevata intentionis rectitudine
Interius coaptata incorruptionis pulcritudine
Inferius subiugata ex donationis celsitudine
2.1. Intention orients the actions to their final goal, which is God. Image of the crossbower who has to close one eye and open the other, which means: close the eye to the worldly seductions and keep the other fixed on Christ [2Z].
2.2. One needs first of all to purify the heart to avoid to maculate the good works. It is useless to worry to be sparkling clean outside (graphic description) while neglecting the purity of the heart. Reference to the hypocrites as whitewashed tombs (Matthew 23:27). Discussion on hypocrisy, simulated sanctity and desire to be noted (it can be only vanity or a lesser sin, yet can be also a mortal sin) [3B.]
2.3. one needs humility, do not inflate. One must think that all goods derive from grace (“ex gratia dei”) and consider to be a sinner. Even the saints still (rightly) considered themselves as sinners: example told by Bonaventure about the reaction of saint Francis when a friar told him that saw in a dream the celestial throne prepared for him [3D].
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Third part
The way one performs almsgiving also matters. This is discussed on the basis of the biblical sentence: “Ante mortem benefac amico tuo et exporrigens da pauperi secundum vires tuas” (Sir 14.13) – which becomes a sort of thema of this section.
Conferentis celeritas
Accipientis propinquitas
Pacientis necessitas
3.1. Give alms quickly, willingly, without delay – since death is always close and one cannot delegate the relatives. An hermit had a vision: two tables, one full of food, the other empty, the latter symbolizes the good works delegated to others. Several quotations from the moral works of Seneca. Usual reference to the canon law on jesters (histriones) and prostitutes [3G]
3.2. When the need is similar, one first must help relatives and friends and then strangers. Issue: shall one make distinction between who has to receive alms? Discussion on the proverb: “Sudet elemosina in manu tua donec invenies iustum cui des” [3H], which dates to Augustine and Gregory the Great (not mentioned), and ultimately to the Didaché. First, alms must be given to preacher and prelate. Second, give without any distinction to those who need food. Next, if the need is similar, start from the neighbours.
3.3. Priority is to give to the poor that suffer the most. The sermon ends by commenting the epistle of the day: Frange esurienti panem tuum... (Isaiah 58:7), with a quite direct to treat the poor with respect: “induc in domo tuam, non in stabulum porcorum in locum despectum” [3I]. -
... inflate. One must think that all goods derive from
grace
(“ex gratia dei”) and consider to be a sinner. Even...
1/1/4
T18/Sab Saturday after Cinerum
Johannes Gritsch [Conrad Grütsch]
Introduction
Craftsmanship (ars) fixes the defects of nature (candle, stairway, ship...). There are three periods in history: ante legem, sub legem, tempus gratie. The law is like a craftsmanship (ars) that corrects the defects of [postlapsarian] nature and a figure of grace. References to the thema: Christ comes in the latest phase of history and the ship connects first with the Virgin Mary (allegory) and then with penance (moral interpretation): “vel navis designat penitentiam que nos de periculis mundi in sero huius temporis potest deducere ad portum salutis” (3K).
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Two quaestiones (quaestio), connected with the two interpretations.
Access to divine mercy. Christ is the source, yet the Virgin Mary is “quasi singularem imperatircem”. On the cross, Christ entrusted John to his mother, she is the only one who kept the faith, so to her he entrusted the Church (i.e. the ship): “ideo nunc habeas curam de ea cum filio quem tibi committo, ut navis ecclesie tua misericordia gubernetur” (3L). The divine mercy is received in the Church, through the Virgin.
Is penancein extremis salvific? Penance needs to be true, that in extremis is risky since free will and deliberate conscience can be absent: “debet esse voluntaria et propter deum”, while there is the risk that it is motivated only by fear of eternal pain (“propter timorem pene”). It is also difficult to change nature (as an Ethiopian or a leopard do not change colour...). Yet, true penance is always salvific, also at the last moment (exemplum of Manasseh, 2 Chronicles 33). During this life, nobody should despair – but for this reason, no one has to postpone repentance.
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Divisio
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First part
Necessity to watch (symbolized by the disciples working during the night on the boat) to protect oneself from the persecutor, i.e. the devil. Four vigils during the night symbolize different types of good works connected with different symbolic birds: first, the works of contrition and penance - brief discussion on confession, with the exemplum of the peacock; second, works of sanctification (comparison with the sparrow); third, works of compassion and mercy (associated with the crane); works of devotion (Ego dormio et cor meum vigilat; Ct 5), is the contemplation, exemplified by the nightingale (philomena).
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Second part
Importance of the presence of Christ, pilot (gubernator) of ship that has to cross the dangerous sea of this world. In the Gospel, he invites to trust him: Confidite, ego sum, nolite timere”. Three types of people need to trust him.
incipientes quos informat ne pereant
proficientes quis confortat ut compleant
perfecti quos conservat ut permaneant [3S]
2.1. The beginners are those who begins the penance by putting the boat on the sea. Yet, as soon as one wants to make penitence, he is assaulted by pirates, symbol of pleasure (“obviat pyrata infernalis vento voluptatis”): depending on his character, they cause bad thoughts, stop him, capture him (3S). Long exemplum of Ulysses and Circe, referring to Boethius. In the moral interpretation, the transformation in beasts is connected with social sins, while Ulysses symbolizes the person who wins through the power of reason and by smelling the flower given to him by the queen of Troy - i.e. Christ which is given to a person by the Virgin Mary - and begins to do penance (3T).
2.2. Those half way are in the middle of the ocean and can be affected by sloth, lose the initial energy and relax too much, thinking that is natural to eat, drink, sleep, and make themselves comfortable – i.e. a relaxation in the ascetic effort. Sloth and laziness are the wind against, which is sent by the devil. Reference to the fable of the sirens mentioned by poets (“de quo in fabulis poetarum recitatur..”; 3V]), first in general, and then in connection with Ulysses “ut recitat Alexander in cincillario poesis” (?). Interpretation: syrens (the devil) want to move someone away from the commitment to navigation; Ulysses closing the ears of his fellows means to control the five senses; the mast of the ship is the Cross (3X).
2.3. The perfect people must be careful, since the perils increase getting close to the port, particularly the storms. Particularly dangerous is the spiritual pride and the poison of vainglory as well as to trust in oneself and in its merits (merit), for instance by recalling the good works done, while instead one has to trust only in Christ. The nautical imagery is prolonged with the story of the sea monster that becomes like a island, on which the sailors land, tying their ship to it and when they kindle a fire to cook, the monster awakes and sinks dragging them with itself. The monster symbolizes the world, due to its instability (instabilitas) and its being covered in mud by sins; the perfecti sometime stop to worry about the world, trust to much in themselves, and are suddenly overwhelmed by it (3Y).
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Third part
Miracles of Christ and his curative nature (he is compared with plants such as the pomegranate and with gems). In the Gospel, the people is cured by touching his garment. He has a triple garment (symbolism of clothes):
3.1. Purplish (purpurea), symbolo of the blood of his Passion - several biblical references – which can be touched by means of meditation.
3.2. Golden, i.e. the splendour of his virtues, which can be touched through imitation (imitatio).
3.3. The third garment of Christ was the womb of the Virgin Mary, which is ‘multicolour’: “istud vestimentum est stragulatum, vulgariter: gestryffelt” [note the vernacular expression]. Biblical reference: “Stragulatam vestem fecit sibi; bissus et purpura indumentum eius” (Proverbs 31:22). This leads to a Marian ending of the sermon, where each colour of the womb is connected with a virtue: plauenus = patience (which needs to be lined with joy: “istud vestimentum nihil valet nisi infuteratum, illa fuderatura est letitia ut leta sit patientia”; 3Z); candid = virginity; purplish = love (caritas)
... the defects of [postlapsarian] nature and a figure of
grace
. References to the _thema_: Christ comes in the latest...
5/1/5
T16/5 Thursday after Septuagesima
Osvât Laskai (Osvaldus de Lasko)
Introduction
Link with previous sermon on faith and virtues. Baptism is salvific only if there is faith.
DivisionFirst part
Three types of faith.
The fides formata needs grace and bears good works, that is expresses itself in love (caritas). Summary of this concept and final exhortation to the soul to consider this precious gift, obtained by the blood of Christ, with reference to the spiritual marriage and the divine adoption that dignify the soul: "Unde anima nostra est terra in qua est germem, id est fides informis, qua infusa pluvia gratie eam facit fructificare operibus bonis, vel sicut lux veniens in domum tenebrosa diversis coloribus depictam colores venustat. Sic ipsa dei gratia animam fide informi et virtutibus adquisitis plenam honestat et vivificat. O igitur ainima Christi precioso sanguine redempta. O mens humana deo per fidem desponsata, o denique virtutibus insignita: considera ipsam divinam charitatem que te cupit salvare. Considera demum divinum donum quod tibi largitur. Item attende tua dignitatem, quia per illud donum effectus es filius dei altissimi et coheres angelorum et collega celestium civium. Agite itaque dignes gratiarum actiones divine nature" (f. d4r)
Second part
The salvific true faith is expressed in three actions: "Primam, quia divinam veritatem firmiter credit" (believe in God); "Secundam quia credendo in deum fideliter tendit"; "Tertia quia se fides operibus veram ostendit" (ture faith manifexts itself in good works).(f. d4r) - in the final part of this section, before the final exempla , the sermon underlines the need of love (caritas) as forma of the faith, since without it faith is death like a body without soul, like a piece of coak without fire (f. d5r).
... Three types of faith . The _ fides formata _ needs
grace
and bears good works , that is expresses itself in...