Volume 13 · p. 431
Sermon V. On Blessed John the Evangelist, Conclusion
sequi debemus Dominum nobis æterna præmia promittentem; sed etiam sequi debemus eum pro nobis in cruce dura supplicia patientem, ut tandem in generali resurrectione sequamur eum ad æternum convivium præcedentem.
IV.
De quarto nota, quod Joannes triplex præmium recepit a Domino, quia eum fideliter sequebatur, videlicet vitam æternam, lucem perpetuam, et judicialem potentiam. Hæc enim tria promittuntur eis, qui cum perseverantia secuti fuerint Jesum Christum.
De primo dicit Dominus, Joan. X, 27 et 28: Oves meæ vocem meam audiunt... et sequuntur me: et ego vitam æternam do eis.
De secundo dicit Dominus, Joan. VIII, 12: Ego sum lux mundi. Qui sequitur me, non ambulat in tenebris sed habebit lumen vitæ.
De tertio dicitur Matth. XIX, 27 et 28, ubi Petrus dixit ad Jesum: Ecce nos reliquimus omnia, et secuti sumus te: quid ergo erit nobis? Jesus autem dixit illis: Amen dico vobis, quod vos qui secuti estis me, in regeneratione, cum sederit Filius hominis in sede majestatis suæ, sedebitis et vos super sedes duodecim, judicantes duodecim tribus Israel.
Rogate ergo, charissimi, Dominum, ut eum sic hic sequamur, ut in futuro vitam æternam, et lucem perpetuam consequamur. Quod nobis præstare dignetur, etc.
we ought to follow the Lord promising eternal rewards to us; but we ought also to follow him suffering hard punishments on the cross for us, so that at last, in the general resurrection, we may follow him going before us to the eternal banquet.
IV.
On the fourth, note that John received a threefold reward from the Lord, because he followed him faithfully, namely eternal life, perpetual light, and judicial power. For these three things are promised to those who have followed Jesus Christ with perseverance.
Concerning the first the Lord says, John 10:27 and 28: My sheep hear my voice... and they follow me; and I give eternal life to them.
Concerning the second the Lord says, John 8:12: I am the light of the world. He who follows me does not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
Concerning the third it is said in Matthew 19:27 and 28, where Peter said to Jesus: Behold, we have left all things and have followed you; what therefore will there be for us? But Jesus said to them: Amen I say to you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man has sat on the seat of his majesty, you also will sit upon twelve seats, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Therefore, dearest ones, pray to the Lord that we may follow him thus here, so that in the future we may obtain eternal life and perpetual light. May he deign to grant this to us, etc.
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