The chapter on the Beatitudes includes a long section on the
need for perfection for priests and bishops. I shall let those two groups of
men read that section, rather than comment here.
However, I do want to quote a long section for the laity.
“We have come to the
foot of the mountain
of Beatitudes , from which
the new law of perfection has gone forth to the ends of the earth. We see the
companies of the elect going up each in its order. First the poor, wayworn, and
footsore; here and there one who on earth was great, and noble, and rich, but
poor in spirit, in the great multitude who eat bread in the sweat of their
face. Then the meek, noiseless as the flight of doves; then the mourners, with
their heads covered, following the Man of Sorrow by the strait, sure road of
affliction. After them those that hunger after God in the vehemence of the spirit,
speeding upward and saluting no man by the way; next come the merciful, with
their hands full of alms, which look like roses. After them the clean in heart, scaling the
mountain like rays that run upward with the speed of lightning; then come the
peacemakers in the majesty of calm and joy; and in the rear of all, the
soldiers of Jesus, the heralds of the Holy Ghost to a world of sin, which smote
them and slew them for their charity.
All these are going upward. Shall we be left behind? Aim higher and
higher. Desire the best gifts. Be faithful over the least. Commit yourself to the guidance of the Spirit
of God, for He is Love, and Light, and Power. Ispe perficiet. As He began so He
will make perfect.”
How wonderful, how beautiful…
One or two most posts on Manning to come….