Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/156

 and frequently overthrow the edifice of good works. “ Thou hast avoided great things,” says S. Augustine, “ take heed that thou be not overwhelmed in the sand;” i.e., by small things. “ He that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little,” Ecclus. xix. 1.

III. On the third head it is to be noted, that the Apostle states three things. (1) He places the reward as suitable to him who receives it, “in due time,” Gloss. In that time in which it is most meet and convenient; the congruous time will be the day of judgment, in which each will receive according to what he hath done, “ When I shall receive the congregation [Vulg. time] I will judge uprightly.” (2) He notes the plenteousness of the reward, “We shall reap.” In reaping abundance is noted, “ Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him,” Psal. cxxvi. 6. “ He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully,” 2 Cor. ix. 6. “ Great is your reward in heaven,” S. Matt, v. 12. (3) He places the eternity of the reward, “We faint not,” “And your joy no one taketh from you,” S. John xv. 22. “ And these shall go into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal,” S. Matt. xxv. 46.

The Lord Jesus Christ shews in these words that God alone is to be served, and that no one is to be obeyed in opposition to God, and that no one is to be hindered from serving God, “ Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve,” S. Matt. iv. 10. There are five reasons on account of which we ought to serve God.

I. Firstly, we ought to serve God on the ground of congruity; for all things serve Him, whence it is sufficiently congruous that man also should serve Him, “They continue this day according to Thine ordinances, for all are Thy servants,” Psa. cxix. 91. But all things serve God in a three-fold manner. (1) By precepts given to them from the Creator Himself' for their fulfilling, “ He hath also estab-