Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/111

 and of the first-fruits of your own fruit give to the poor, and “so shall thy barns be filled with plenty,” i.e., in a future satiety. They shall not hunger any more, neither shall they thirst any more, and “ thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Gloss.: They who lay up treasure in heaven shall find their own delights, the granary of whom will be filled by plenty, because they shall be satiated, when His glory will be manifested; and the wine-presses will overflow with wine. He kindles the hearts of the faithful towards the praises of the Creator, and he who bestows earthly subsidies upon the poor will be rendered richer by the giving in heavenly remuneration. (2) Defence from his enemies—Ecclus. xvii. 22, “The alms of man is as a signet with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye.” Ecclus. xxix. 13, “He shall fight for thee against thine enemies better than a mighty shield and strong spear. Gloss.: Alms will rather prevail against the enemies than earthly weapons. (3) The prolongation of the present life—1 Tim. iv. 8, “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

II. About the second good it is to be noted, that man by almsgiving acquires a threefold spiritual good. (1) Remission of sins—Dan. iv. 27, “ Break off thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor.” Prov. xvi. 6, “ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged.” Gloss.: All sin. “By mercy” the iniquity of sinners is remitted when it gives to and forgives others. “ By truth ” is understood justice accusing itself for its iniquity, and repenting. (2) The hearing of prayers— Ecclus. xxix. 12, Vulg., “ Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and it shall obtain help for thee against all evil;” that is to say, in removing evil. Gloss.: Alms shut up in the heart, are useful for advising and consulting. (3) The preservation of grace—Ecclus. xvii. 22, “ The alms of man is as a signet with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man,” &c.

III. Of the third good, it is to be similarly noted, that by almsgiving men acquire a threefold eternal good. (Liberation from eternal death—Tobit iv. 11, Vulg., “For alms deliver from all sin and from death,” &c. (2) The possession of eternal life—1 S. Tim. iv. 8, “ Godliness is profitable, &c., having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (3) The increase of eternal reward—2 Cor. ix. 6, “ He which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and