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166.1
First Point
Saint
Cyprian was one of the principal Fathers of the Church and most zealous
for her discipline and for upholding the doctrine and maxims of Jesus
Christ. He had been a pagan and a most learned one; he was converted by a
priest named Cecilius, whom he loved tenderly and ever afterward honored
as his father. Even before receiving baptism he studied Holy Scripture,
and filled with the truths
which he learned there and with the Catholic spirit, was admitted to the
sacrament. As soon as he was baptized, he sold all his possessions,
distributed the proceeds to the poor,[i]
and resolved to live in continence.
In this way from the moment he became a Christian he lived stripped
of all his wealth and freed from affection for all the goods and all the
pleasures of the earth. That was how it was to live as a perfect
Christian. It seems quite clear that this saint was altogether virtuous
from the very start and had a heart fully imbued with the spirit of Jesus
Christ. With this disposition he could not but practice great virtues. He
gave edification to everyone by his holy life, just as he won admiration
by his talent and knowledge of literature; that is what enabled this saint
to render great benefits in the Church.
You are in a state where you should know well the maxims of the
holy Gospel, both to work at your own sanctification and to procure that
of others. Do you practice these maxims as this saint did?
Have you, like him, renounced the goods and pleasures of life?
Often you do not enjoy the goods and comforts of life because you
cannot have them. It is often those who lack them the most who also desire
them most eagerly. Are you not of this number? It is not enough to be
deprived of such things unless it is done willingly and with affection.
That is why Jesus Christ does not say only blessed are the poor,
but the poor in spirit.[ii]This
spirit of poverty, is often no less rare in religious communities than it
is in the world.
166.2
Second Point
Saint
Cyprian, living such a holy life, was soon made a priest, and almost as
quickly Bishop of Carthage by the choice of all the people. To avoid being
bishop he fled, but was compelled to accept the dignity. Once installed as
a bishop, this saint enlightened the entire Church by his excellent
writings, and during persecution he worked forcefully to uphold those who
were wavering in their faith. He displayed an admirable zeal for the
instruction of his people, and he had above all a special care for the
poor. When persons make themselves voluntarily poor to imitate Jesus
Christ, they also love, as he did, those whom God has made poor.
Every day you have poor children to instruct. Love them tenderly as
this saint did, following in this the example of Jesus Christ. Prefer them
to those who are not poor, for Jesus Christ does not say: the Gospel is
preached[iii]
to the rich, but to the poor; these poor are also the ones God has
entrusted to you, and to whom you are obliged to proclaim the truths of
the holy Gospel; those were the ones who most frequently followed Jesus
Christ Our Lord, and they are also the ones most disposed to profit by his
teaching because in them it meets with fewer external obstacles.
Everybody agrees that this saint surpassed all the other bishops of
his time in knowledge and in eloquence as well as in wisdom and humility.
Following his example you must know your religion well, but you must also
show how well you possess it by your wise conduct and your piety.
166.3
Third Point
This saint worked very hard for the Church; he also endured an
infinite number of evils because of his zeal and the attachment he had for
her. A furious persecution broke out against the faithful, and the pagans
demanded that Saint Cyprian be thrown to the lions. At once he was
denounced, and at the same time all his goods were confiscated. He went
into hiding in order to continue to be of service to his people and to the
Church. During this cruel persecution it seemed important that he keep
alive in order to strengthen his people. He remained in hiding for two
years, ministering without interruption to the needs of his diocese, and
writing to them treatises and letters filled with the love of God. After
two years of seclusion, the Emperor Decius having died, he returned to
Carthage. But not long after this, the Emperors Valerian and Gallian
exiled him. When he came back from this exile, the proconsul condemned him
to be beheaded. That is how this saint left the exile of this life after
suffering for a considerable time to defend the Church of Jesus Christ.
One of the things that contributes most to impress the truth of the
Gospel in people's hearts and to make them appreciate it, is when those
who teach this truth, as ministers of Jesus Christ and dispensers of
his mysteries,[iv]
willingly endure persecution and practice what Saint Paul says, We are
cursed and we bless, we are persecuted and we suffer it, we are insulted
and we respond with prayers,[v]
we are regarded as the refuse of the world, but we are not disheartened.[vi]
Do you have this disposition? It is necessary for you if you wish to do
good in your work.
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Cyprian
was an African who practiced law and taught rhetoric before his conversion
to Christianity. His considerable talents and learning became, after his
conversion and ordination to the priesthood, the reason for his being
chosen as bishop of Carthage by the priests of that diocese. In this role
he was zealous for orthodox belief and purity of morals among his priests
and people during years of both peace and persecution. In 258 on September
14, Cyprian was beheaded on orders from the Emperor Valerian.
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