But when his mind progresses in subtle reflection upon the world to come

In hope he eagerly awaits those things | which he does not see, oblivious of things here. | From time to time he even forgets himself, being immersed in these intellections | and disregarding his thoughts concerning visible things. | Thus he despises both thought and deed | as long as he attends to this. | The confused affection that involves us in face-to-face familiarity is blotted out of him | and that love alone that does not depend on seeing [others] is fixed in his soul. | The memory’s awareness of human affairs is gradually stolen away from his mind | and meditation upon hidden things increases in him | gains strength, and vanquishes corporeal thoughts | and henceforth he withdraws from corruptible things in so far as nature is able. | If it were not that natural recollection arouses him whenever he lacks something indispensable | for the greater part of the time his mind would be gathered up in those things that are to come | through the meditation upon them that has abounded in him. | And on their account he becomes a fool to all the wisdom of this world | and the memory of him wanes away | and he is accounted a dullard by the standard of human knowledge. | Additional Homily 4, pp. 547-8