THE GLORY OF THE DOCTORS AND CONFESSORS.
Let us now turn our eyes to another bright throng. It is composed of
the Doctors and Confessors of the Church. These too, as well as the
martyrs, enjoy the high honors of haven. Here we meet again the
Apostles, who were filled with the Holy Ghost, and instructed the
infant Church in all truth. There, too, are their worthy successors
in the ministry--such men as St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine, St.
Gregory, St. Thomas, and a multitude of others--whose vast intellects
were stored with the knowledge of God. They gained a signal victory
over the devil--who is the father of lies. By their eloquence, and by
their writings, they enlightened the Church, not only in their day,
but for all time to come. They are now crowned with the peculiar
glory which is promised to all such: "They that are learned shall
shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that instruct many
unto justice, as the stars for all eternity."*
* Dan. xii. 3.
But you must not imagine that the great lights of Christianity, such
as the Apostles, or a St. Augustine, a St. Thomas, and others, who
have been proclaimed doctors of the Church, are alone in their glory.
This class also includes the glorious confessors of the Church--all
holy Popes, bishops, and priests, who have zealously and faithfully
preached the gospel to their flocks. It comprises also all those holy
missionaries who, like the Apostles, preached Jesus crucified to the
heathens, and brought them into the one true fold. These holy
confessors, though not proclaimed doctors by the Church, nevertheless
shine "as the stars for all eternity."
But, besides these glorious confessors, there are still others who
partake of the peculiar glory promised to them "that instruct many
unto justice." These are the innumerable multitudes of men and women
who compose the different religious orders of the Church--who spend
their lives in the education of youth. There are, moreover, the
writers, translators, and publishers of good books, and others, who,
though not bound by any vows, devote themselves to the diffusion of
religious knowledge. Among these, particular mention must be made of
good parents, whose first care is to teach the knowledge and love of
God to their children. In a word, all they who have, in any way,
instructed others unto justice, partake of the peculiar glory of the
doctors and confessors of the Church, though, no doubt, in an
inferior degree. For the promise of a special reward is not made
exclusively to a few gifted intellects, but to all, without any
exception. "They that shall teach many unto justice, shall shine as
the stars for all eternity."
Yet, although it is true that instructing others unto justice
deserves a peculiar reward, we must not forget that the preaching of
the gospel will not, of itself, glorify any one, unless it is
accompanied by a pure intention, and the practice of virtue. Even if
Judas, as an apostle, instructed many unto justice, he certainly does
not now shine as a star on that account. Evidently, then, holiness of
life must accompany our teaching of others. This is what our Blessed
Lord tells us in the most positive manner, when he says: "He that
shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of
heaven."* Hence, you must ever remember that, how gifted soever you
may be, however eloquent, and how many soever you may have taught
unto justice, you never can shine as a star in heaven, unless you at
the same time lead a Christian life. Without this, your preaching
will profit you nothing, even if others are saved by your eloquence.
* Matt. v. 19.