“Do not cry”
We live in the world as
if we were strangers or pilgrims, not citizens.
The Apostle said, "But this I say, brethren, the time
is short; it remains that those that have wives be as if they had none; and
those who weep, as though not weeping; and those who rejoice, as though not
rejoicing; and those who buy, as not possessing; and those who use this world,
as though not using it, for this world as we see it is passing away" (1
Cor 7:29-31)
By these words the Apostle is urging the faithful to be
alive to the hope of heavenly happiness and to be as little affected by earthly
things as if they were not involved with them at all. Let them love their
wives, but with as moderate a love as if they did not have them. If it is
necessary to weep because of the loss of children or fortunes, let them weep as
moderately as if they were not saddened or weeping. If joy presents itself
because of earnings or honour acquired, let them rejoice as moderately as if
they did not rejoice, that is, as if the joy were not theirs. If they buy a
field or a house, let them be as affected by those things as if they did not
possess them. Finally, the Apostle commands that we live in the world as if we
were strangers or pilgrims, not citizens. This is more plainly stated by the
Apostle Peter when he says, "I exhort you as strangers and pilgrims to
abstain from carnal desires which war against the soul" (1 Pt 2:11). For
this blessed prince of the Apostles wishes us to live in our own city and home
as if we were living in a foreign home and country, little worried whether
there is a lack or an abundance in that place. He commands this so that we
abstain "from carnal desires which war against the soul." For carnal
desires do not readily arise when what we look upon does not really involve us.
This then is what not being in the world means for those who are dead to the
world and live only for God.
Saint Robert Bellarmine (d. 1621), bishop and doctor,
was a brilliant Jesuit preacher and theologian
noted for his rational argumentation.
was a brilliant Jesuit preacher and theologian
noted for his rational argumentation.