On the Neglect of the Commemoration

The small number of those who were present has shown by itself, dearly beloved, that the religious devotion with which the whole body of the faithful used to flock together to give God thanks, in remembrance of the day of our punishment and our release, has been almost entirely neglected on this last occasion. This has caused me much sadness of heart and great fear. For there is great danger of people becoming ungrateful to God, and, through forgetting his benefits, feeling neither sorrow for the punishment nor joy for the deliverance. So I fear, dearly beloved, that the prophet’s words may be spoken in rebuke to such people: “You struck them, and they did not grieve; you punished them, and they refused to accept correction.” For what amendment is shown by those in whom such a distaste for the service of God is found? One is ashamed to say it, but one must not keep silent: more is spent on demons than on the apostles, and mad spectacles draw greater crowds than the blessed martyrdoms. Who was it that restored this city to safety? Who rescued it from captivity? The games of the circus crowds, or the care of the saints? Surely it was by the prayers of the saints that the sentence of God’s displeasure was turned aside, so that we who deserved wrath were kept for pardon. [a]

I beg you, beloved, let the words of the Savior touch your hearts. When by the power of his mercy he had cleansed ten lepers, he said that only one of them all had come back to give thanks. He meant, without doubt, that although the ungrateful ones had gained health of body, their failure in this godly duty came from ungodliness of heart. And so, dearly beloved, so that this brand of ingratitude may not be put on you, return to the Lord, remembering the wonders he has been pleased to do among us. Credit our release not, as the ungodly suppose, to the influence of the stars, but to the mercy beyond words of almighty God, who was pleased to soften the hearts of raging barbarians, and give yourselves to the remembrance of so great a benefit with all the vigor of faith. Grave neglect must be atoned for by still greater signs of repentance. Let us use the mercy of him who has spared us for our own amendment, so that blessed Peter and all the saints, who have always been near us in many afflictions, may be pleased to support our pleas for you to the merciful God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [d]