St. Michael's Lent 2026 - Reading #18 - Discernment
Reading
The old Romans were genuinely virtuous — and God paid them exactly what they aimed at.
"So also these despised their own private affairs for the sake of the republic, and for its treasury resisted avarice, consulted for the good of their country with a spirit of freedom, addicted neither to what their laws pronounced to be crime nor to lust. By all these acts, as by the true way, they pressed forward to honours, power, and glory; they were honoured among almost all nations; they imposed the laws of their empire upon many nations; and at this day, both in literature and history, they are glorious among almost all nations. There is no reason why they should complain against the justice of the supreme and true God,--'they have received their reward.'"
Excellence is not the question; aim is.
Then the saints’ country: "But the reward of the saints is far different, who even here endured reproaches for that city of God which is hateful to the lovers of this world. That city is eternal. There none are born, for none die. There is true and full felicity,--not a goddess, but a gift of God. Thence we receive the pledge of faith, whilst on our pilgrimage we sigh for its beauty. There rises not the sun on the good and the evil, but the Sun of Righteousness protects the good alone. There no great industry shall be expended to enrich the public treasury by suffering privations at home, for there is the common treasury of truth. And, therefore, it was not only for the sake of recompensing the citizens of Rome that her empire and glory had been so signally extended, but also that the citizens of that eternal city, during their pilgrimage here, might diligently and soberly contemplate these examples, and see what a love they owe to the supernal country on account of life eternal, if the terrestrial country was so much beloved by its citizens on account of human glory."
Same coin — different treasury.
Reflection
Here is the discernment for a man in his working prime: excellence is not the question, aim is. You can pour Roman-grade virtue — discipline, courage, sacrifice — into targets that pay out entirely in this life: the career, the reputation, the net worth. You will receive your reward in full, with nothing waiting past the grave. Or the same virtues can be spent for the eternal city.
Same coin, different treasury. The pagan examples exist so citizens of the eternal city can study them and be shamed into proportion — if Romans loved a terrestrial country that much for human glory, what love do we owe the supernal country for eternal life?
Ask where yours is deposited, because the payout terms differ by exactly everything.