On His Birthday, First Sermon

“Let my mouth speak the praise of the Lord,” and let my breath and spirit, my flesh and tongue, bless his holy name. For it is the sign not of a modest mind but of an ungrateful one to keep silent about the kindnesses of God. And it is very fitting to begin our duty as a consecrated pontiff with the sacrifices of the Lord’s praise. For “in our humility” the Lord “has been mindful of us” and has blessed us, because “he alone has done great wonders for me,” so that your holy affection for me counted me present, though my long journey had forced me to be away. So I give, and always will give, thanks to our God for all the things with which he has repaid me. I also acknowledge in public your kind opinion of me, and I pay you the thanks I owe. In this way I show that I understand how much respect, love and loyalty your affectionate zeal could spend on me, who long with a shepherd’s anxiety for the safety of your souls. You have passed so conscientious a judgment on me, with no merits at all of mine to guide you. So I entreat you, by the mercies of the Lord, help with your prayers the man you sought out by your appeals, so that the Spirit of grace may remain in me and your judgment may not change. May he who inspired you with such unity of purpose grant to us all in common the blessing of peace. Then, with all the days of my life ready for the service of Almighty God and for my duties toward you, I may confidently entreat the Lord, “Holy Father, keep in your name those whom you have given me.” And while you continually advance toward salvation, may “my soul magnify the Lord.” And in the repayment of the judgment to come, may the account of my priesthood be given to the just Judge in such a way that through your good deeds you may be my joy and my crown, you who by your goodwill have given me an earnest testimony in this present life. [b]