'Allow me, my dearly beloved, to repeat both for you and myself that Oportet jam nos de sommo surgere. ("The time has come: you must wake up now" Rom 13:11)
These words are applied by the saints not only to sinners in need of
conversion, but to all the redeemed children of God who are thereby
fervently stimulated to strive for extraordinary holiness. The time has come: while preaching to others, we must not become worse than they. The time has come:
we must protect ourselves from the snares of the one who is the enemy
of all and who attacks the ministers of Christ's Gospel and holy
religion with special energy. The time has come: we must arm ourselves with courage, generosity and invincible zeal so that we all may be one with Jesus Christ. The time has come:
we most grow in virtue, continue to exercise deep humility before God,
and acquire compassion in behalf of our fellow human beings. All this
must be based upon the spirit of prayer. The time is at hand when we
are, to develop that interior virtue which counterbalances the influence
of our exterior occupations. We must realize our grave responsibilities
to God because of our very special and sublime vocation. Therefore, we
say with the Prophet, Exercebar, et scopebam spiritum meum. (I ponder
and my spirit asked this question. Ps 77:6) . . . Judicium enim sine
misericordia hiis, qui praesunt. ("Ruthless judgment is reserved for the
high and mighty." Wis 6:6)
