SERMONS
OF
SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI
SERMON I.— FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT.
On the General Judgment.
"And they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with much power and majesty." Matt. xxiv. 30.
AT present God is not known, and, therefore, he is as much despised by sinners, as if he could not avenge, whenever he pleases, the injuries offered to him. The wicked ”looketh upon the Almighty as if he could do nothing” (Job xxii. 17,) But the Lord has fixed a day, called in the Scriptures "the day of the Lord," on which the Eternal Judge will make known his power and majesty. ”The Lord," says the Psalmist, "shall be known when he executeth judgment." (Ps. ix. 17.) On this text St. Bernard writes: ”The Lord, who is now unknown while he seeks mercy, shall be known when he executes justice." (Lib. de xii. Rad.) The prophet Sophonias calls the day of the Lord ”a day of wrath a day of tribulation and distress a day of calamity and misery." (i. 15.)
Let us now consider, in the first point, the different appearance of the just and the unjust; in the second, the scrutiny of consciences; and in the third, the sentence pronounced on the elect and on the reprobate.
First Point. On the different appearance of the just and of sinners in the valley of Josaphat.
1. This day shall commence with fire from Heaven,
