De consolacione frairum et cristifidelium.
Anxious Tidings
Brother Meneko and his commanders grieve the reported losses at Raganita while awaiting news from the field.
At this time, before the same army of brothers had returned with the victory they had won, Brother Meneko the master sat troubled with certain commanders, anxious and distressed about the death of the commander of Raganita and of his men.
Messengers of Good News
Three successive messengers arrive with escalating reports of victory, the defeat of brigands, and the death of a hostile prince.
And while they were conferring together in their sorrow, a messenger came who said that the brothers of Raganita had killed twenty-five brigands. While the first was still speaking, a second messenger entered, who declared that the army of brothers was returning in victory. This one had scarcely finished speaking when a third arrived, who announced that a certain prince — who, as was commonly reported, had wanted to subjugate the land of Prussia for himself by driving out the brothers — was dead.
Joy After Sorrow
The brothers rejoice and give thanks to God, who has turned their sorrow into joy by the just reversal of worldly fortune.
The master and the brothers therefore rejoiced with great joy, and gave immense thanks to God, who comforts his own in every tribulation, for so many blessings.✦ See how, by the just judgment of God, the world — which before had rejoiced — is thrown into turmoil, and the sorrow of the brothers has been turned into joy.✦✦
Read the original Latin
Hoc tempore antequam idem exercitus fratrum optenta victoria rediret, frater Meneko magister cum quibusdam preceptoribus sedit sollicitus de exerturbatusque de morte commendatoris de Raganita et suorum. Et cum sic tristes conferrent ad invicem, venit nuncius, qui dixit, quod fratres de Raganita xxv latrunculos occidissent. Adhuc illo loquente intravit secundus, qui cum victoria redire" fratrum exercitum affirmabat. Vix iste verba finierat, et supervenit tercius, qui quendam principem, qui voluit, ut communiter referebatur, sibi Prussie terram ejectis fratribus subjugare, mortuum nunciavit. Gavisi sunt ergo magister et fratres gaudio magno, et immensas gracias deo, qui consolatur suos in omni tribulacione, de tot beneficiis referebant. Ecce quomodo justo dei judicio mundus, qui ante gaudebat, turbatur, et fratrum tristicia in gaudinm est conversa.
Scripture echoes
- ↩2Cor.1.3-2Cor.1.4 — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 2Cor.1.4 — who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- ↩John.16.20 — Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
- ↩Ps.126.5-Ps.126.6 — Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Ps.126.6 — Though one goes forth weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
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