Page:Ninety-nine homilies of S. Thomas Aquinas upon the epistles and gospels for forty-nine Sundays of the Christian year (IA ninetyninehomili00thom).pdf/67



Two subjects for consideration are indicated in these words —firstly, a commendation of the present time, “ Behold now is the accepted time;" secondly, the cause of this commendation is added, “ Behold now is the day of salvation.”

I. On the first head it is to be noted, that the present time is called an “ acceptable time,” for eight reasons—(1) Because it is the time for seeking the Lord: Hos. x. 12, “ It is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.” (2) Because it is a time for reconciling the Lord : Ps. lxix. 13, “My prayer is unto Thee, 0 Lord, in an acceptable time.” (3) Because it is a time for correcting our ways: Heb. ix. 10, “ Until the time of reformation”— i.e., of the injustice of the Jews. (4) Because it is a time for restraining superfluities and vices: Cant. ii. 12 (Vulg.), “ The time of pruning is come.” (5) Because it is the time of receiving the Divine compassion: Ps. cii. 13, “For the time to favour her, yea the set time, is come.” (6) Because it is the time for suffering tribulation: Jer. xxx. 7, “It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” (7) Because it is the time of acquiring salvation : Ecclus. iv. 28, “ Refrain not to speak in the time of salvation.” (8) Because it is a time for doing good: Ps. cxix. 126, “It is time for Thee, Lord, to work.”

II. On the second head it is to be noted, that this “ day of salvation” exhorts and invites us by eight ways to holiness— (1) The Holy Scriptures, which are read at this time. The Gospels and Epistles which are read invite us to prayer, to