Let them hear and rejoice who walk in the ways of justice. Let them hear, I say, for Jesus deigns to meet and manifest himself not only to those who devote themselves to contemplation but also to those who justly and devoutly walk the ways of action. . . .
Was not your heart burning in you on account of Jesus when he spoke to you on the way and opened the Scriptures? Let them then who have experienced it remember it and let them sing in the ways of the Lord that great is the glory of the Lord. Let those who have not experienced it believe and
be eager to experience it, so that they too may sing of God’s graces in the place of their pilgrimage and affliction.
So let the spirit of us all rise and come to life again, whether to watchfulness in prayer or to constancy in work, so that by a certain revived and lively alacrity each may prove himself anew to have received a share in Christ’s resurrection. The first sign of life’s return to a man is energy and diligence in action, and his perfect resurrection, as long as he is in this mortal body, is to open his eyes to contemplation.
. . . First then there is the warmth of returning life when good works are performed; the second stage of resurrection is the extending of the affections through prayer; perfection is reached when the understanding is enlightened so as to contemplate. Strive, my brethren, to rise more and more by these stages of virtue, these increases in holiness of life, so that you may arrive, as St Paul says, at the resurrection of Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Bd. Guerric of Igny, Liturgical Sermons, Book 1

Guerric of Igny (ca. 1070–1157) was educated in the humanities and theology. An esteemed and seasoned scholar, he was encouraged to enter monastic life by Bernard of Clairvaux. He was elected abbot of Igny in 1138.