Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Sermons of Columbanus (Author: Columbanus Hibernus)

Sermon 9

Sermon IX

1

Now let us speak of the end, my dearest brethren; for the end of our road, as we have said, is our homeland. But since some, taking possession of their homeland here, hereafter shall not enjoy the end of their road at home, but pass from road to road, that is shall change from one pain to another at the sting of conscience, and shall have no rest: therefore the end of the road, that is of their life, is not home but pain, it is not rest but tribulation. But the end of just men's life is life eternal, rest, perpetual peace, a heavenly home, a blessed eternity, a joy unending. Thus there is a difference in the end of the road of human life, since, though in its feebleness, and capricious vacillation, and uncertain

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flight, the road of human life is identical, yet it differs in pursuits and attainments. But this differing life is here oppressed by an identical fate, and troubled by the travail of a tortuous track; for all alike are born, grow, decline, weaken, suffer, die; but when they reach the end, then they are divided, and those whom an equal travail has wearied are separated by an unequal rank; for in that place there shall be a true trial and careful analysis of the identical misery by which all travellers are oppressed on the road that mortals tread alike. For there, as the Apostle says, Fire shall try each man's work, of what sort it is.’’

1 Cor. 3. 13

 You see the scheme of the misery of human life, from earth, on earth, to earth, from earth to fire, from fire to judgement, from judgement to hell or else to life; for from earth you were made, earth you tread, and to earth you shall return, from earth you shall arise, in fire you shall be tried, you shall await judgement, and thereafter you shall obtain either an eternal punishment or an eternal reign; for there It behoves us, [as the Apostle says], to appear before the judgement-seat of Christ, that each may receive his body's due reward, according as he has acted, either well or ill;’’

2 Cor. 5. 10

 and this the Lord also announces in the Gospel, The Son of Man is to come in His glory, and then He shall render to each according to his deeds.’’

Matt. 16. 27

 Tremble, I beg you, at the gravity of the words, and with your mind ever in a crisis of fear and fright unceasingly meditate that terrible approach of the divine judgement, when before that dread judgement-seat of Christ the Judge, Fire shall try each man's work, of what sort it is’’

1 Cor. 3. 13

 and each as he has acted shall receive the body's due of each, either good or ill,’’

cf. 2 Cor. 5. 10

 and when the Son of Man at His coming shall render to each according to his deeds.’’

cf. Matt. 16. 27

2

The statement is terrible enough, my brethren, since He did not say, according to His mercy, but according to a man's deeds shall He render to each;’’

cf. Matt. 16. 27

for here He is merciful, but there a just Judge. Therefore we, my dearest friends, who read and hear these words, must fear and tremble greatly, when we learn from God's declaration that it must be rendered to each according to his deeds.’’

cf. Matt. 16. 27

 What harder word could have been said? What human hope has it left? For who can be justified by fire and not need the mercy of his Judge, when he dwells in the body of sin?’’

cf. Rom. 6. 6

 Who, I ask, of human kind, wearing our flesh, would not fear these things, in which it is foretold that we must all appear and in some manner be committed before the judgement-seat of Christ, and that there our deeds must be tried by fire? With grief for the damned we must say, To what purpose did clay receive reason? why was reason made from dust? Men like us, created out of earth, stationed upon it for a little, and soon after to return to it, when the same earth at God's command again restores us and casts us forth, shall at the last be tried by fire, so that the

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fire should by some art dissolve both earth and clay, and should show by melting the counterfeit whether it has had any gold or silver or other of earth's precious things. Thus not to fear these things is the part of dead and hopeless minds; for to the living, even to hear them once should be enough of warning. Wherefore let us know nothing more profitable for ourselves than to examine ourselves daily, every day of our life reviewing that dubious life, and keeping account of our words and thoughts, and shuddering at human life, to ponder without ceasing this aforesaid end of that roadway, that is of our life, while we spurn all the pleasures of this world. We see life, but discern it as a fleeting and deceptive shadow and mirage. Then let us not be cheated by a life that is deceitful and tempting, brief and short-lived, transitory and feeble, bitter and sad; let us ever ponder the life true and eternal, which after death shall keep the immortal just. Observe the inconstancy of things, life before death and after death, life; the just and godly enjoys both, and the ungodly sinner keeps one to his woe, losing the other that is blessed; for after a brief life, from death to death he passes to destruction, and from this may the loving-kindness of the good God deign to deliver us, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom is glory unto ages of ages.

Amen.