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Objection 1: It would seem that the spiritual joy that results from
charity is compatible with an admixture of sorrow. For it belongs to
charity to rejoice in our neighbor's good, according to 1 Cor.
13:4,6: "Charity . . . rejoiceth not in iniquity, but
rejoiceth with the truth." But this joy is compatible with an
admixture of sorrow, according to Rm. 12:15: "Rejoice with
them that rejoice, weep with them that weep." Therefore the
spiritual joy of charity is compatible with an admixture of sorrow.
Objection 2: Further, according to Gregory (Hom. in Evang.
xxxiv), "penance consists in deploring past sins, and in not
committing again those we have deplored." But there is no true
penance without charity. Therefore the joy of charity has an admixture
of sorrow.
Objection 3: Further, it is through charity that man desires to be
with Christ according to Phil. 1:23: "Having a desire to be
dissolved and to be with Christ." Now this desire gives rise, in
man, to a certain sadness, according to Ps. 119:5: "Woe is
me that my sojourning is prolonged!" Therefore the joy of charity
admits of a seasoning of sorrow.
On the contrary, The joy of charity is joy about the Divine wisdom.
Now such like joy has no admixture of sorrow, according to Wis.
8:16: "Her conversation hath no bitterness." Therefore the joy
of charity is incompatible with an admixture of sorrow.
I answer that, As stated above (Article 1, ad 3), a twofold
joy in God arises from charity. One, the more excellent, is proper
to charity; and with this joy we rejoice in the Divine good considered
in itself. This joy of charity is incompatible with an admixture of
sorrow, even as the good which is its object is incompatible with any
admixture of evil: hence the Apostle says (Phil. 4:4):
"Rejoice in the Lord always."
The other is the joy of charity whereby we rejoice in the Divine good
as participated by us. This participation can be hindered by anything
contrary to it, wherefore, in this respect, the joy of charity is
compatible with an admixture of sorrow, in so far as a man grieves for
that which hinders the participation of the Divine good, either in us
or in our neighbor, whom we love as ourselves.
Reply to Objection 1: Our neighbor does not weep save on account of
some evil. Now every evil implies lack of participation in the
sovereign good: hence charity makes us weep with our neighbor in so far
as he is hindered from participating in the Divine good.
Reply to Objection 2: Our sins divide between us and God,
according to Is. 59:2; wherefore this is the reason why we grieve
for our past sins, or for those of others, in so far as they hinder us
from participating in the Divine good.
Reply to Objection 3: Although in this unhappy abode we
participate, after a fashion, in the Divine good, by knowledge and
love, yet the unhappiness of this life is an obstacle to a perfect
participation in the Divine good: hence this very sorrow, whereby a
man grieves for the delay of glory, is connected with the hindrance to
a participation of the Divine good.
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