Adsum

February 2005

Excerpts from “The Golden Rule”

by a member of a Religious Order (written in 1871)

(In these difficult times for the Catholic Church, it is frequently lamented that there is not a greater unity among the various traditional groups. The following excerpt may be ofsome comfort for those who are so troubled.)

It happened once that a young Carthusian Abbot had great trouble and difficulty with some of his subjects. In a letter which he wrote to St. Bernard, he says that “Had each one done his duty, he would have found no difficulty in governing them, or in being their Superior.” The young and inexperienced Abbot said nothing that was surprising; for, should every one do his duty, a statue might, as it were, be capable of being the general of an order of fifty thousand religious, having need of eyes only, to behold the good done by them of their own accord.

But, alas! Ever since the beginning of the world, there have been two elements continually combating each other — the good and the bad. “There must be scandals,” said Our Lord, a fatal though divine decree. St. Michael and Lucifer combated each other in heaven; Cain and Abel in the family of Adam; Isaac and Ismael in that of Abraham; Jacob and Esau in that of Isaac; Joseph and his brethren in that of Jacob; Solomon and Absalom in that of David; St. Peter and Judas in the company of Our Lord Jesus Christ; the Apostles and the Roman emperors, in the Church of Christ; St. Francis of Assisi and Brother Elias, in the Franciscan Order; St. Bernard and his uncle Andrew, in the Cistercian Order; St. Alphonsus and Father Leggio in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer; orthodox Faith and heresy and infidelity, in the Kingdom of God on earth; the just and the wicked, in all places; in fact, where is that country, that city, that village, that religious community, or that family howsoever small it may be, where these two elements are not found in opposition. The parable of the sower and the cockle is everywhere verified; even should you be quite alone grace and nature combat one another. “And a man’s enemies shall be they of his own household.”

Strange to say, not only the good and the wicked are found in perpetual conflict; but God, for wise ends, permits that even the holiest and best of men are sometimes diametrically opposed, and even incite persecution, each against the other, though each one may be led by the purest and holiest of motives.

St. Epiphanius disputed with St. John Chrysostom, saying that he never would tolerate the disciples of Origen. St. John Chrysostom, not so hasty in his conclusion, said that he would never confound the innocent with the guilty. St. Epiphanius replied that the heresy was so impious, the crime so enormous, that true love for the faith should force him to expel this brood of vipers from the Church without delay. St. John Chrysostom answered: “A good judge condemns no one without a hearing.”

St. Epiphanius exclaimed: “You are too punctilious in the matter.”

In reply St. John Chrysostom complained that Epiphanius was too zealous, not having patience enough to listen to the truth.

“Patience!” answered St. Epiphanius, “You mean sympathy with the cause and hypocrisy!”

“Say rather violence and precipitation,” answered Chrysostom.

“But,” said Epiphanius, “are you afraid to condemn heretics?”

“And have you no fear of condemning the innocent as guilty?” asked St. Chrysostom.

“I clearly see,” remarked Epiphanius, “that you favor Origen.”

“And I,” rejoined St. John Chrysostom, “fear that you side with the enemies of truth.”

“Be it so! But I say to you in the name of God,” replied St. Epiphanius, “that you will not die in Constantinople; you will be banished, and will end your life upon a distant shore.”

“And I also tell you, on the part of God,” answered St. John Chrysostom, “that you will not reach your diocese, and that you will die at sea.”

Both were saints, both prophesied truly, both were right; and yet there seemed to be sufficient cause for dispute and opposition between them. Similar contests and differences of opinion occurred between St. Peter and St. Paul, the Princes of the Apostles; between St. Augustine and St. Jerome, and many others great and eminent in learning and sanctity.

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