'Brethren and fathers, people in the world when they
erect a luxurious house give themselves no rest at night and at the end
of the day they toil and plan, labouring until they have achieved their
object; and such is the longing that fills them that their mind is
wholly occupied in this and in considering how the roof may be
well-covered, how the floor, adorned with many different marbles with
every other form of elegance, will offer lovers of fine sights the most
pleasing appearance. But if someone were to wish to tear them away from
that care, they would be most distressed, as though they were being
seriously wronged. But we, when we are building not a corruptible house
but an incorruptible, not one made out of stones and wood but one
skilfully constructed from spiritual graces, how can we be idle and come
far below these others in zeal? How should this not be the greatest of
wrongs? That other house harbours people who love the flesh and when it
has passed through many masters it will be pulled down and deserted. The
other knows that it welcomes the Holy Spirit, since we are a temple of
the living God and the Spirit of God dwells in us, as the divine Apostle
says. Moreover with those who depart from things here it leaves too and
abides in heaven intact and eternal. What is the material of this
building? The assumption of the virtues. Take first, if you will, as a
foundation stone, the fear of God, since the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom. Next understanding, courage, sobriety, justice; and
so with one attached firmly to the other and fitted together with the
bond of love it will grow into a holy temple of the Lord, as it is
written.'
