Meditatio præsentis vitæ nostræ in laude Dei esse debet, quia exsultatio sempiterna futuræ nostræ vitæ, laus Dei erit; et nemo potest idoneus fieri futuræ vitæ, qui non se ad illam modo exercuerit.The subject of our meditation in this life should be the praise of God, for the everlasting exultation of our life hereafter, will be the praise of God; and no one will be suitable for life hereafter, who has not cultivated himself for it.
Propter hæc duo tempora, unum quod nunc est in tentationibus et tribulationibus huius vitæ, alterum quod tunc erit in securitate et exsultatione perpetua, instituta est nobis etiam celebration duorum temporum, ante Pascha, et post Pascha. Illud quod est ante Pascha, significat tribulationem in qua modo sumus; quod vero nunc agimus post Pascha, significat beatitudinem in qua postea erimus. Ante Pascha ergo quod celebramus, hoc et agimus; post Pascha autem quod celebramus, significamus quod nondum tenemus. Propterea illud tempus in ieiuniis et orationibus exercemus; hoc vero tempus relaxatis ieiuniis in laudibus agimus. Hoc est enim: Alleluia, quod cantamus.
On account of these two seasons, one which is in the temptations and tribulations of this life, the other which then will be in safety and perpetual exultation, we have instituted now the celebration of two seasons, before Easter, and after Easter. That which is before Easter, signifies tribulation in which we currently exist; that which in reality now we will spend after Easter, signifies the blessedness we shall hereafter be. What we celebrate before Easter then is what we possess now; what we celebrate after Easter on the other hand, signifies that which we do not as yet possess. Therefore we exercise that time in fasting and prayer; in this present time we relax fasting and spend it in praise. This is the Alleluia which we sing.
Nunc ergo, fratres, exhortamur vos ut laudetis Deum. Sed laudate de totis vobis; id est, ut non sola lingua et vox vestra laudet Deum, sed et conscientia vestra, vita vestra, facta vestra.
Now, therefore, brothers, I exhort you to praise God. But praise with your whole selves; that is, don’t let your tongue and voice alone praise God, but also your conscience, your life, your deeds.
Si a vita bona numquam declines, lingua tua tacet, vita tua clamat; et aures Dei ad cor tuum.
If you never divert from a noble life, though your tongue is silent, your life shouts out; God has ears for your heart.
Saint Augustine
