Untitled - Saints' Books

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The
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CHAP, ix.] The Zeal of the Priest. \ 69
precisely in an ardent zeal for promoting the glory of
God, and the salvation of our neighbor. Hence, accord
ing to Natalis Alexander, they that wish to attend only
to themselves, and not toothers, should not be admitted
to the priesthood.
1
The
priests of the
Lord commanded 2 that the
Old Law should wear vestments covered
all over with certain circles, which resembled eyes, to
show, as a certain author says, that the priest should be
all eyes to attend to the sanctification of the people.
St. Augustine says that zeal for the salvation of souls
and for the promotion of divine love in all men springs
from love. Then, adds the saint, he that has not zeal,
shows that he does not love God; and he that does not
love God is lost. 3 He that watches over his own soul
pleases God; but he that watches over the souls
of his
neighbors, pleases him still 4
more, says St. Bernard.
God, says St. John Chrysostom, has no better proof
of the fidelity and affection of a soul than in seeing her
5
zealous for the welfare of her neighbor. The Saviour
three times asked St. Peter if he loved him: Simon, son
of John, lovest thou Me ? 6 When assured of Peter s love,
Jesus Christ asked him to do nothing else in proof of
his love than to take care of souls: He said to him: Feed
My sheep} On this passage St. John Chrysostom says:
Lord might have said, If
you love me, cast away
1 "
aliis ?" De
Quis ferat presbyterum ordinari, ut sibi tantum vacet, et non
Ord. c. 3, a. 5, reg. 22.
2
Exod. xxviii.
3 "
Zelus est effectus amoris; ergo, qui non zelat, non amat; qui non
amat, manet in morte."
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4
quidem, in tui custodia vigilans, bene facis; sed, qui juvat
multos, melius facit." In Cant. s. 12.
5 "
Nihil adeo declarat quis sit fidelis et amans Christi, quam si
fratrum curam agat; hoc maximum amicitise argumentum est."
Serm. de B. Philog.
^ 6
"Simon Joannis, amas me?" John,xxi. 17.
7
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Pasce oves meas/