Simple Innocence

Simple Innocence

   First, the first virtue is when a man lives simply, nor hurts anyone in his heart, by hating, nor by defaming in speech, nor striking with hands, nor by stealing, and so such a life is called simple innocence, which makes a man a sheep of Christ.  Reason: For just as a sheep does not strike with horns like a bull, nor bite with its teeth like a wolf, nor strike with hooves like a horse, but lives simply, so also if you wish to be a sheep of Christ, you should strike no one with horns of knowledge or of power, for lawyers strike by the horns of knowledge, jurists, advocates, or men who have great knowledge.  Merchants too, by deceiving others.  Lords and bullies strike with the horns of power, plundering or injuring, and extorting, using calumnies and threats, and the like.  Listen to what the Lord says by the mouth of David, "And I will break all the horns of sinners: but the horns of the just shall be exalted," (Ps 74:11). 

   Also you should not bite with teeth as wolves do. By defaming you bite the reputation of your neighbor, by saying such and such happened.  To defame someone is nothing else but to bite.  Therefore, defamers are not the sheep of Christ, but wolves of hell.  So the Apostle [Paul], "For all the law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another; take heed you be not consumed one of another," (Gal 5:14-15).  Note the difference between biting  and devouring, because to bite is to take a chunk, to devour is to swallow it all.  They bite, who on one hand praise a man or woman, and on the other defame them by saying: "Do you know something.  O, he is a good man and a good woman, but he has this defect."  See, a bite out of his reputation.  They devour when they say nothing good praising someone, but only the bad.  See why the Apostle says, "If you bite..." 

   Also, you should not kick with your feet like horses. For they kick with their feet when they despise someone.  Therefore children, do not hate your parents; nor parents, children; nor young people, old folks; nor the healthy, the sick; nor rich, the poor; nor masters, their servants; nor prelates, their clergy; and vice versa, but like sheep, everyone should bear themselves innocently toward all.  So Christ said, "See that you despise not one of these little ones," (Mt 18:10).  It is clear, then what is simple innocence.  Innocent, as if not-harming.[non nocens], for such shall be the sheep of Jesus Christ, and they shall be on his right hand with the angels of God. 

   Note here the story of David who although he had been the most holy, nevertheless sinned in counting the people, on account of which God sent a plague on the people, so that in three days seventy thousand men had died, twenty years old and up, besides the women and children, who were about the same number.  David seeing the people dying, in whom he was punished, was more willing to die himself said, "It is I; I am he who has sinned, I have done wickedly: these that are the sheep, what have they done? let your hand, I beg you, be turned against me, and against my father's house," (2Kg 24:17).  Behold, here is simple innocence!

By St. Vincent Ferrer O.P. 

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons