Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/158

 and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things; and He shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck until He have destroyed thee,” Deut. xxviii. 47, 48.

V. Fifthly, we ought to serve God for the sake of our advantage; for many profitable things flow to man from the service of God. But here three are noticed. (1) Liberation from all enemies, “ But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and He shall deliver you out of the hands of all your enemies,” 2 Kings xvii. 39. (2) Ineffable exultation of heart, “ Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing,” Psa. c. 2. (3) The eternal fruition of all joys, “ Behold, My servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, My servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, My servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed; behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart,” Isai. lxv. 13, 14. “ Where I am there also shall My servant be,” S. John xii. 26. For Jesus was at the right hand of the Father, that is in the highest good things of the Father, and there will “ He place those who serve Him.” “ Blessed is that servant whom the Lord, when He cometh, shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that He shall make him ruler over all His goods,” S. Matt. xxiv. 46, 47. “Well done, good and faithful servant .... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,” S. Matt. xxv. 23. To which joy may we be brought, &c.

In these words four things are noted, which are necessary to us for salvation. Firstly, charity, by which we love our friends and enemies: “ What is the breadth,” Gloss. Which signifies the expansive nature of charity”, which extends even to our enemies. Secondly, perseverance, that we finally continue in charity; “and length;” Gloss.