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MedievalSourcebook: SaintJohnChrysostom(c.347407): EightHomiliesAgainsttheJewsl

Notesonreactiontothepostingofthistext Homily1 Homily2 Homily3 Homily4 Homily5 Homily6 Homily7[etextaddedMay2002] Homily8[etextaddedMay2002]

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Introduction JohnChrysostomisconsidereda"doctoroftheChurch",andamongthegreatestoftheGreekFathers.HewasbishopofAntiochatthetimeofthese sermons,althoughhebecamearchbishopofConstantinoplein398.Hewasadmiredforhiseloquenceandgiftsinpreaching.Asanintroductiontothese sermon,hereisthediscussionbyJamesParkes. BibliographicalHints Tofindoutmoreaboutthissubjectsee: JohnChrysostom,DiscoursesagainstJudaizingChristians,translatedbyPaulW.Harkins.TheFathersoftheChurchv.68(Washington: CatholicUniversityofAmericaPress,1979) Thisisapparentlythemostuptodatetranslation,andshouldbeusedbyanyonewantingtocommentonthesetextsinwrittenwork. Grissom,FredAllen,ChrysostomandtheJews:studiesin JewishChristianrelationsinfourthcenturyAntioch,Thesis(Ph.D.)SouthernBaptistTheologicalSeminary,1979. Meeks,WayneA.andRobertL.Wilken,JewsandChristiansinAntiochinthefirstfourcenturiesofthecommonera,ScholarsPressfor theSocietyofBiblicalLiterature,c1978. Wilken,RobertLouis,JohnChrysostomandtheJews:rhetoricandrealityinthelatefourthcentury(Berkeley:UniversityofCalifornia Press,1983)

CHRYSOSTOMANDTHEJEWSOFANTIOCH,pp.163166 fromJamesParkes:TheConflictoftheChurchandtheSynagogue:AStudyintheOriginsofAntisemitism,(NewYork:JPS,1934) WhileintheirwritingsHilaryandEusebiusintroducedthepaganworldtothisstrangeversionofJewishhistory,Chrysostomexpressedsimilartheorieswith muchgreaterviolencefromhispulpitatAntioch.Ineightsermonswhichhedeliveredin387hespeakswithabitternessandlackofrestraintunusualevenin thatplaceandcentury{PGVol97).Ifitwerenotfortheexegeticalbackgroundwhichhasalreadybeenshown,itwouldbeimpossibletoexplain,letalone excuse,histone.Christianitywasnolongerinanydanger.Hehimselfhadnot,likeAthanasius,everknownanypersecutionfromtheJews,andtheperiodof trialunderJulianhadbeenveryshort.Evenhadtheybeenamenaceinoldtimes,therichandpowerfulJewishcommunityofAntiochwasnowhemmedin, likeeveryother,bynumerousimperialedictsissuedunderChristianinspiration.Moreover,Chrysostomwasamanwhosecharacterexcitedtheadmirationof hiscontemporaries.Ifhewashatedbypoliticiansforhisunswervingfirmness,hewaslovedbythemultitudes,andhiscommentariesonthegospelsarestill readandstudiedintheOrthodoxChurchbecauseoftheirdeepspiritualbeauty. Suchwasthemanwhoineightsermonscoveringmorethanahundredpagesofcloselyprintedtext,hasleftusthemostcompletemonumentofthepublic expressionoftheChristianattitudetotheJewsinthecenturyofthevictoryoftheChurch.Inthesediscoursesthereisnosneertoomean,nogibetoobitter forhimtoflingattheJewishpeople.Notextistooremotetobeabletobetwistedtotheirconfusion,noargumentistoocasuistical,noblasphemytoo startlingforhimtoemployand,mostastonishingofall,attheendheturnstotheChristians,andinwordsfullofsympathyandtolerationheurgesthemnotto betoohardonthosewhohaveerredinfollowingJewishpracticesorinvisitingJewishsynagogues.DealingwiththeChristians,notextwhichurges forgivenessisforgotten:dealingwiththeJewsonlyoneverseoftheNewTestamentisomitted:Father,forgivethem,fortheyknownotwhattheydo'. TheonlyexplanationofhisbitternesscontainedinthesermonsthemselvesisthetooclosefellowshipbetweenJewsandChristiansinAntioch.Thereisno singlesuggestionthattheJewswereimmoralorviciousnosuggestionthatChristianswereactuallycorruptedbythecontact,eitherintheirmoralsortheir orthodoxy.Onlyonecontemporaryeventisreferredtoatall,apartfromgeneraldenunciationsofthevisitingofthesynagogueattimesofJewishfeastorfast. ThiswasthecaseofaChristianwomanwhowastakenintoaJewishhousetotakeanoathinabusinessaffair,becausetheChristianwithwhomshehadto dealbelievedthatanoathtakenintheJewishmannerwasmorebindingthananyother.Whattheactualaffairwaswearenottold.ToChrysostom'seyesthe

dealbelievedthatanoathtakenintheJewishmannerwasmorebindingthananyother.Whattheactualaffairwaswearenottold.ToChrysostom'seyesthe crimewasthataChristianwomanhadbeentakenintoaJewishhouse,notthatshehadbeenseducedortaughthereticaldoctrineoranythingelse.Itwas enoughthatshehadbeenmadetoenterthehouse[SermonI:3]. ThereisnomaterialinthesesermonsforastudyofcontemporaryJewishlife.Eventsandbeliefsofcenturiesearlierarequotedasthoughstillaccepted.On thestrengthofPsalmxcvi,37,hestatesthatthey'sacrificedtheirsonsanddaughterstodevils:theyoutragednatureandoverthrewfromtheirfoundations thelawsofrelationship.Theyarebecomeworsethanthewildbeasts,andfornoreasonatall,withtheirownhandstheymurdertheirownoffspring,to worshiptheavengingdevilswhoarethefoesofourlife"[SermonI:6].ItseemsalmostasifhishearersinAntiochobjectedtosomonstrousastatement,for inhissixthsermonhereturnstothecharge,andsaysthateveniftheynolongermurdertheirownchildren,theyhavemurderedtheChrist,whichisworse [SermonVI:2,3].ThesynagoguesoftheJewsarethehomesofidolatryanddevils,eventhoughtheyhavenoimagesinthem[SermonI:3basedonJer. vii:11].Theyareworseeventhanheathencircuses[SermonI:3.Theveryideaofgoingfromachurchtoasynagogueisblasphemous[SermonII:3]andto attendtheJewishPassoveristoinsultChrist.TobewiththeJewsontheverydaytheymurderedJesusistoensurethatontheDayofJudgmentHewillsay' DepartfromMe:foryouhavehadintercoursewithmymurderers'[SermonIII:5andVI:8].Somesaythatthesynagogueishallowedbythefactthatthe HolyBooksoftheLawaretobefoundinit.OnemightjustaswellsaythatthetempleofDagonwashallowedbytheArkbeinginit,eventhoughtheArk destroyedtheidoltoprovetheopposite[SermonI:5,reftoISamV].ItistruertosaythatthefactthattheseBooksaretobefoundinthesynagogues makesthemmoredetestable,fortheJewshavesimplyintroducedtheseBooks,'nottohonourthem,buttoinsultthem,andtodishonourthem'[SermonI:5 andVI:6].TheJewsdonotworshipGodbutdevils[SermonI:3,basedonJohn8:19],sothatalltheirfeastsareunclean[SermonI:6].Godhatesthem, andindeedhasalwayshatedthem.ButsincetheirmurderofJesusHeallowsthemnotimeforrepentance[SermonVI:1].ItwasofsetpurposethatHe concentratedalltheirworshipinJerusalemthatHemightmoreeasilydestroyit[SermonIV:6].TheJewishpretencethattheirmisfortunesareduetoRome arenotworthyofattention.'ItwasnotbytheirownpowerthattheCaesarsdidwhattheydidtoyou:itwasdonebythewrathofGod,andHisabsolute rejectionofyou'[SermonVI:3].ItischildishinthefaceofthisabsoluterejectiontoimaginethatGodwilleverallowtheJewstorebuildtheirTempleorto returntoJerusalem.TheirexperienceunderJulianshouldconvincethemofthat[SermonV,passim.Thewholesermonisaninsultingsneerattheirmisfortunes andexile,andagloatingoverthecertaintyoftheirdamnation.Cf.thesermon'ThatChristisGod:addressedtoJewsandPagans'inthesamevolume]. WhenitisclearthatGodhatesthem,itisthedutyofChristianstohatethemtooandhebeginshissixthsermonwitharevoltinganalogyofabeastinthe arena,whohastastedblood,andlongsforitagain.Sohe,Chrysostom,havingoncebeguntodenouncetheJews,cannotleaveoff[SermonVI:1]forhe whohasnolimitsinhisloveofChristmusthavenolimitsinhisbattlewiththosewhohateHim[SermonVII:1].'IhatetheJews'heexclaimsroundly,for theyhavetheLawandtheyinsultit'. ButwheninthelastsermonhecomestoaddressthosemiserablesinnerswhohadbeenfrequentingJewishcelebrationshistoneisunrecognizable.Heinsists thattheymustbedealtwithgently,forthetrueattitudetoasinneris'wheneverwehearanygoodofhim,totellittoallbutwhenwehearanyevilorwicked thing,tokeepittoourselves,anddoallinourpowertochangeIt[SermonVIII:3].ItisevidentthatChrysostom'sJewwasatheologicalnecessityrather thanalivingperson.IfhelookeddifferentfromtheactualJewslivinginAntiochitwaspartofthemaliceoftheJew,oneofthesnaresofthedevil,setto catchtheunwaryChristian.ThecommentofaCatholictheologianonthesesermonsisworthquoting[Murawski]:'DasGebotderNchstensliebewirdman indiesenRedennichtwiederfinden,undebensowenigwerdensolcheRedenfhiggewesenseindieJudenmitSympathiefrdasChristentumzuerfllen'. [English:"Onewillnotfindtherequirementtoloveone'sneighbourinthesespeeches,norwillsuchspeecheshavebeenabletofilltheJewswithany sympathyforChristianity".]

JohnChrysostom:AdversusJudaeosHOMILYI TODAYIHADINTENDEDtocompletemydiscussiononthetopiconwhichIspoketoyouafewdaysagoIwishedtopresentyouwithevenclearer proofthatGod'snatureismorethanourmindscangrasp.LastSundayIspokeonthisatgreatlengthandIbroughtforwardasmywitnessesIsaiah,David, andPaul.ForitwasIsaiahwhoexclaimed:"Whoshalldeclarehisgeneration?"DavidknewGodwasbeyondhiscomprehensionandsohegavethanksto himandsaid:"Iwillpraiseyouforyouarefearfullymagnified:wonderfulareyourworks".AndagainitwasDavidwhosaid:"Theknowledgeofyouisto wonderfulforme,aheighttowhichmymindcannotattain".PauldidnotsearchandpryintoGod'sveryessence,butonlyintohisprovidenceIshouldsay ratherthathelookedonlyonthesmallportionofdivineprovidencewhichGodhadmademanifestwhenhecalledthegentiles.AndPaulsawthissmallpart asavastandincomprehensibleseawhenheexclaimed:"OthedepthoftherichesandofthewisdomandoftheknowledgeofGod!Howincomprehensible arehisjudgments,andhowunsearchablehisways!" (2)Thesethreewitnessesgaveusproofenough,butIwasnotsatisfiedwithprophetsnordidIsettleforapostles.Imountedtotheheavensandgaveyouas proofthechorusofangelsastheysang:"GlorytoGodinthehighest,andonearthpeace,goodwillamongmen".Again,youheardtheSeraphimasthey shudderedandcriedoutinastonishment: "Holy,holy,holy,theLordGodofhosts,alltheearthisfilledwithhisglory".AndIgaveyoualsothecherubimwhoexclaimed:"Blessedbehisgloryinhis dwelling". (3)SotherewerethreewitnessesonearthandthreeinHeavenwhomadeitclearthatGod'sglorycannotbeapproached.Fortherest,theproofwas beyonddisputetherewasgreatapplause,theaudiencewarmedwithenthusiasm,youassemblycameaflame.Ididrejoiceatthis,yetmyjoywasnot becausepraisewascomingtomebutbecauseglorywascomingtomyMaster.ForthatapplauseandpraiseshowedtheloveyouhaveforGodinyour souls.Ifaservantloveshismasterandhearssomeonespeakinpraiseofthatmaster,hisheartcomesaflamewithaloveforhimwhospeaks.Thisisbecause theservantloveshismaster.YouactedjustthatwaywhenIspoke:bytheabundanceofyourapplauseyoushowedclearlyyourabundantloveforthe Master. (4)AndsoIwantedagaintodaytoengageinthatcontest.ForiftheenemiesofthetruthneverhaveenoughofblasphemingourBenefactor,wemustbeall themoretirelessinpraisingtheGodofall.ButwhatamItodo?Anotherveryseriousillnesscallsforanycuremywordscanbring,anillnesswhichhas becomeimplantedinthebodyoftheChurch.Wemustfirstrootthisailmentoutandthentakethoughtformattersoutsidewemustfirstcureourownand thenbeconcernedforotherswhoarestrangers.

(5)Whatisthisdisease?ThefestivalsofthepitifulandmiserableJewsaresoontomarchuponusoneaftertheotherandinquicksuccession:thefeastof Trumpets,thefeastofTabernacles,thefasts.Therearemanyinourrankswhosaytheythinkaswedo.Yetsomeofthesearegoingtowatchthefestivals andotherswilljointheJewsinkeepingtheirfeastsandobservingtheirfasts.IwishtodrivethisperversecustomfromtheChurchrightnow.Myhomilies againsttheAnomianscanbeputofftoanothertime,andthepostponementwouldcausenoharm.ButnowthattheJewishfestivalsareclosebyandatthe verydoor,ifIshouldfailtocurethosewhoaresickwiththeJudaizingdisease.Iamafraidthat,becauseoftheirillsuitedassociationanddeepignorance, someChristiansmaypartakeintheJews'transgressionsoncetheyhavedoneso,Ifearmyhomiliesonthesetransgressionswillbeinvain.Foriftheyhear nowordfrommetoday,theywillthenjointheJewsintheirfastsoncetheyhavecommittedthissinitwillbeuselessformetoapplytheremedy. (6)AndsoitisthatIhastentoanticipatethisdangerandpreventit.Thisiswhatphysiciansdo.Theyfirstcheckthediseaseswhicharemosturgentand acute.ButthedangerfromthissicknessisverycloselyrelatedtothedangerfromtheothersincetheAnomiansimpietyisakintothatoftheJews,my presentconflictisakintomyformerone.AndthereisakingshipbecausetheJewsandtheAnomiansmakethesameaccusation.Andwhatchargesdothe Jewsmake?ThatHecalledGodHisownFatherandsomadeHimselfequaltoGod.TheAnomiansalsomakethischargeIshouldnotsaytheymakethisa chargetheyevenblotoutthephrase"equaltoGod"andwhatitconnotes,bytheirresolvetorejectiteveniftheydonotphysicallyeraseit. II ButdonotbesurprisedthatIcalledtheJewspitiable.Theyreallyarepitiableandmiserable.Whensomanyblessingsfromheavencameintotheirhands, theythrustthemasideandwereatgreatpainstorejectthem.ThemorningSunofJusticearoseforthem,buttheythrustasideitsraysandstillsitindarkness. We,whowerenurturedbydarkness,drewthelighttoourselvesandwerefreedfromthegloomoftheirerror.Theywerethebranchesofthatholyroot,but thosebrancheswerebroken.Wehadnoshareintheroot,butwedidreapthefruitofgodliness.Fromtheirchildhoodtheyreadtheprophets,butthey crucifiedhimwhomtheprophetshadforetold.Wedidnothearthedivinepropheciesbutwedidworshiphimofwhomtheyprophesied.Andsotheyare pitifulbecausetheyrejectedtheblessingswhichweresenttothem,whileothersseizedholdoftheseblessinganddrewthemtothemselves.Althoughthose Jewshadbeencalledtotheadoptionofsons,theyfelltokinshipwithdogswewhoweredogsreceivedthestrength,throughGod'sgrace,toputasidethe irrationalnaturewhichwasoursandtorisetothehonorofsons.HowdoIprovethis?Christsaid:"Itisnofairtotakethechildren'sbreadandtocastitto thedogs".ChristwasspeakingtotheCanaanitewomanwhenHecalledtheJewschildrenandtheGentilesdogs. (2)Butseehowthereaftertheorderwaschangedabout:theybecamedogs,andwebecamethechildren.PaulsaidoftheJews:"Bewareofthedogs, bewareoftheevilworkers,bewareofthemutilation.Forwearethecircumcision".Doyouseehowthosewhoatfirstwerechildrenbecamedogs?Doyou wishtofindouthowwe,whoatfirstweredogs,becamechildren?"Buttoasmanyasreceivedhim,hegavethepowerofbecomingsonsofGod". (3)Nothingismoremiserablethanthosepeoplewhoneverfailedtoattacktheirownsalvation.WhentherewasneedtoobservetheLaw,theytrampledit underfoot.NowthattheLawhasceasedtobind,theyobstinatelystrivetoobserveit.WhatcouldbemorepitiablethatthosewhoprovokeGodnotonlyby transgressingtheLawbutalsobykeepingit?OnthisaccountStephensaid:"Youstiffneckedanduncircumcisedinheart,youalwaysresisttheHolySpirit", notonlybytransgressingtheLawbutalsobywishingtoobserveitatthewrongtime. (4)Stephenwasrightincallingthemstiffnecked.FortheyfailedtotakeuptheyokeofChrist,althoughitwassweetandhadnothingaboutitwhichwas eitherburdensomeoroppressive.Forhesaid:"LearnfrommeforIammeekandhumbleofheart",and"Takemyyokeuponyou,formyyokeissweetand myburdenlight".Nonethelesstheyfailedtotakeuptheyokebecauseofthestiffnessoftheirnecks.Notonlydidtheyfailtotakeitupbuttheybrokeitand destroyedit.ForJeremiahsaid:"Longagoyoubrokeyouryokeandburstyourbonds".ItwasnotPaulwhosaidthisbutthevoiceoftheprophetspeaking loudandclear.Whenhespokeoftheyokeandthebonds,hemeantthesymbolsofrule,becausetheJewsrejectedtheruleofChristwhentheysaid:"We havenokingbutCaesar".YouJewsbroketheyoke,youburstthebonds,youcastyourselvesoutofthekingdomofheaven,andyoumadeyourselves subjecttotheruleofmen.Pleaseconsiderwithmehowaccuratelytheprophethintedthattheirheartswereuncontrolled.Hedidnotsay:"Yousetasidethe yoke",but"Youbroketheyoke"andthisisthecrimeofuntamedbeasts,whoareuncontrolledandrejectrule. (5)Butwhatisthesourceofthishardness?Itcomefromgluttonyanddrunkenness.Whosayso?Moseshimself."Israelateandwasfilledandthedarling grewfatandfrisky".Whenbruteanimalsfeedfromafullmanger,theygrowplumpandbecomemoreobstinateandhardtoholdinchecktheyendure neithertheyoke,thereins,northehandofthecharioteer.JustsotheJewishpeopleweredrivenbytheirdrunkennessandplumpnesstotheultimateevilthey kickedabout,theyfailedtoaccepttheyokeofChrist,nordidtheypulltheplowofhisteaching.Anotherprophethintedatthiswhenhesaid:"Israelisas obstinateasastubbornheifer".AndstillanothercalledtheJews"anuntamedcalf". (6)Althoughsuchbeastsareunfitforwork,theyarefitforkilling.AndthisiswhathappenedtotheJews:whiletheyweremakingthemselvesunfitforwork, theygrewfitforslaughter.ThisiswhyChristsaid:"Butasforthesemyenemies,whodidnotwantmetobekingoverthem,bringthemhereandslaythem". YouJewsshouldhavefastedthen,whendrunkennesswasdoingthoseterriblethingstoyou,whenyourgluttonywasgivingbirthtoyourungodlinessnot now.Nowyourfastingisuntimelyandanabomination.Whosaidso?Isaiahhimselfwhenhecalledoutinaloudvoice:"Ididnotchoosethisfast,saythe Lord".Why?"Youquarrelandsquabblewhenyoufastandstrikethosesubjecttoyouwithyourfists".Butifyoufastingwasanabominationwhenyouwere strikingyourfellowslaves,doesitbecomeacceptablenowthatyouhaveslainyourMaster?Howcouldthatberight? (7)Themanwhofastshouldbeproperlyrestrained,contrite,humblednotdrunkwithanger.Butdoyoustrikeyourfellowslaves?InIsaiah'sdaythey quarreledandsquabbledwhentheyfastednowwhenfast,theygoinforexcessesandtheultimatelicentiousness,dancingwithbarefeetinthemarketplace. Thepretextisthattheyarefasting,buttheyactlikemenwhoaredrunk.Hearhowtheprophetbitthemtofast."Sanctifyafast",hesaid.Hedidnotsay: "Makeaparadeofyourfasting",but"callanassemblygathertogethertheancients".ButtheseJewsaregatheringchorusesofeffeminatesandagreat rubbishheapofharlotstheydragintothesynagoguethewholetheater,actorsandall.Forthereisnodifferencebetweenthetheaterandthesynagogue.I knowthatsomesuspectmeofrashnessbecauseIsaidthereisnodifferencebetweenthetheaterandthesynagoguebutIsuspectthemofrashnessifthey donotthinkthatthisisso.Ifmydeclarationthatthetwoarethesamerestsonmyownauthority,thenchargemewithrashness.ButifthewordsIspeakare thewordsoftheprophet,thenaccepthisdecision. III Many,Iknow,respecttheJewsandthinkthattheirpresentwayoflifeisavenerableone.ThisiswhyIhastentouprootandtearoutthisdeadlyopinion.I saidthatthesynagogueisnobetterthanatheaterandIbringforwardaprophetasmywitness.SurelytheJewsarenotmoredeservingofbeliefthantheir

prophets."Youhadaharlot'sbrowyoubecameshamelessbeforeall".Whereaharlothassetherselfup,thatplaceisabrothel.Butthesynagogueisnot onlyabrothelandatheateritalsoisadenofrobbersandalodgingforwildbeasts.Jeremiahsaid:"Yourhousehasbecomeformethedenofahyena".He doesnotsimplysay"ofwildbeast",but"ofafilthywildbeast",andagain:"Ihaveabandonedmyhouse,Ihavecastoffmyinheritance".ButwhenGod forsakesapeople,whathopeofsalvationisleft?WhenGodforsakesaplace,thatplacebecomesthedwellingofdemons. (2)ButatanyratetheJewssaythatthey,too,adoreGod.GodforbidthatIsaythat.NoJewadoresGod!Whosayso?TheSonofGodsayso.Forhe said:"IfyouweretoknowmyFather,youwouldalsoknowme.ButyouneitherknowmenordoyouknowmyFather".CouldIproduceawitnessmore trustworthythantheSonofGod? (3)If,then,theJewsfailtoknowtheFather,iftheycrucifiedtheSon,iftheythrustoffthehelpoftheSpirit,whoshouldnotmakeboldtodeclareplainlythat thesynagogueisadwellingofdemons?Godisnotworshippedthere.Heavenforbid!Fromnowonitremainsaplaceofidolatry.Butstillsomepeoplepayit honorasaholyplace. (4)Letmetellyouthis,notfromguessworkbutfrommyownexperience.Threedaysagobelieveme,IamnotlyingIsawafreewomanofgoodbearing, modest,andabeliever.Abrutal,unfeelingman,reputedtobeaChristian(forIwouldnotcallapersonwhowoulddaretodosuchathingasincere Christian)wasforcinghertoentertheshrineoftheHebrewsandtoswearthereanoathaboutsomemattersunderdisputewithhim.Shecameuptomeand askedforhelpshebeggedmetopreventthislawlessviolenceforitwasforbiddentoher,whohadsharedinthedivinemysteries,toenterthatplace.Iwas firedwithindignation,Ibecameangry,Iroseup,Irefusedtoletherbedraggedintothattransgression,Isnatchedherfromthehandsofherabductor.I askedhimifwereaChristian,andhesaidhewas.ThenIsetuponhimvigorously,charginghimwithlackoffeelingandtheworststupidityItoldhimhewas nobetteroffthanamuleifhe,whoprofessedtoworshipChrist,woulddragsomeoneofftothedensoftheJewswhohadcrucifiedhim.Italkedtohima longtime,drawingmylessonfromtheHolyGospelsItoldhimfirstthatitwasaltogetherforbiddentoswearandthatitwaswrongtoimposethenecessityof swearingonanyone.Ithentoldhimthathemostnotsubjectabaptizebelievertothisnecessity.Infact,hemustnotforceevenanunbaptizedpersonto swearanoath. (5)AfterItalkedwithhimatgreatlengthandhaddriventhefollyofhiserrorfromhissoul,IaskedhimwhyherejectedtheChurchanddraggedthewoman totheplacewheretheHebrewsassembled.Heansweredthatmanypeoplehadtoldhimthatoathsswornthereweremoretobefeared.Hiswordsmade megroan,thenIgrewangry,andfinallyIbegantosmile.WhenIsawthedevil'swickedness,IgroanedbecausehehadthepowertoseducemenIgrew angrywhenIconsideredhowcarelesswerethosewhoweredeceivedwhenIsawtheextentanddepthofthefollyofthosewhoweredeceived,Ismiled. (6)Itoldyouthisstorybecauseyouaresavageandruthlessinyourattitudetowardthosewhodosuchthingsandundergotheseexperiences.Ifyouseeone ofyourbrothersfallingintosuchtransgressions,youconsiderthatitissomeoneelse'smisfortune,notyourownyouthinkyouhavedefendedyourselves againstyouraccuserswhenyousay:"Whatconcernofmineisit?WhatdoIhaveincommonwiththatman"?Whenyousaythat,yourwordsmanifestthe utmosthatredformankindandacrueltywhichbenefitsthedevil.Whatareyousaying?Youareamanandsharethesamenature.Whyspeakofacommon naturewhenyouhavebutasinglehead,Christ?Doyoudaretosayyouhavenothingincommonwithyourownmembers?Inwhatsensedoyouadmitthat ChrististheheadoftheChurch?Forcertainlyitisthefunctionoftheheadtojoinallthelimbstogether,toorderthemcarefullytoeachother,andtobind themintoonenature.Butifyouhavenothingincommonwithyourmembers,thenyouhavenothingincommonwithyourbrother,nordoyouhaveChristas yourhead. (7)TheJewsfrightenyouasifyouwerelittlechildren,andyoudonotseeit.Manywickedslavesshowfrighteningandridiculousmaskstoyoungstersthe masksarenotfrighteningbytheirnature,buttheyseemsotothechildren'ssimplemindsandinthiswaytheystirupmanyalaugh.ThisisthewaytheJews frightenthesimplermindedChristianswiththebugbearsandhobgoblinsoftheirshrines.Yethowcouldtheirridiculousanddisgracefulsynagoguesfrighten you?Aretheynottheshrinesofmenwhohavebeenrejected,dishonored,andcondemned? IV Ourchurchesarenotlikethattheyaretrulyfrighteningandfilledwithfear.God'spresencemakesaplacefrighteningbecausehehaspoweroverlifeand death.Inourchurcheswehearcountlesshomiliesoneternalpunishments,onriversoffire,onthevenomousworm,onbondsthatcannotbeburst,or exteriordarkness.ButtheJewsneitherknownordreamofthesethings.Theylivefortheirbellies,theygapeforthethingsofthisworld,theirconditionisnot betterthanthatofpigsorgoatsbecauseoftheirwantonwaysandexcessivegluttony.Theyknowbutonething:tofilltheirbelliesandbedrunk,togetallcut andbruised,tobehurtandwoundedwhilefightingfortheirfavoritecharioteers. (2)Tellme,then,aretheirshrinesawfulandfrightening?Whowouldsayso?whatreasonsdowehaveforthinkingthattheyarefrighteningunlesssomeone shouldtellusthatdishonoredslaves,whohavenorighttospeakandwhohavebeendrivenfromtheirMaster'shome,shouldfrightenus,whohavebeen givenhonorandthefreedomtospeak?Certainlythisisnotthecase.Innsarenotmoreaugustthenroyalpalaces.Indeedthesynagogueislessdeservingof honorthananyinn.Itisnotmerelyalodgingplaceforrobbersandcheatsbutalsofordemons.Thisistruenotonlyofthesynagoguesbutalsoofthesoulsof theJews,asIshalltrytoproveattheendofmyhomily. (3)Iurgeyoutokeepmywordsinyourmindsinaspecialway.ForIamnotnowspeakingforshoworapplausebuttocureyoursouls.Andwhatelseis leftformetosaywhensomeofyouarestillsickalthoughtherearesomanyphysicianstoeffectacure? (4)Thereweretwelveapostlesandtheydrewthewholeworldtothemselves.ThegreaterportionofthecityisChristian,yetsomearestillsickwiththe Judaizingdisease.Andwhatcouldwe,whoarehealthy,sayinourowndefense?Surelythosewhoaresickdeservetobeaccused.Butwearenotfreefrom blame,becausewehaveneglectedthemintheirhourofillnessifwehadshowngreatconcernforthemandtheyhadthebenefitofthiscare,theycouldnot possiblystillbesick. (5)Letmegetthestartonyoubysayingthisnow,sothateachofyoumaywinoverhisbrother.Evenifyoumustimposerestraint,evenifyoumustuse force,evenifyoumusttreathimillandobstinately,doeverythingtosavehimfromthedevil'ssnareandtofreehimfromfellowshipwiththosewhoslew Christ. (6)Tellmethis.Supposeyouweretoseeamanwhohadbeenjustlycondemnedbeingledtoexecutionthroughthemarketplace.Supposeitwereinyour powertosavehimfromthehandsofthepublicexecutioner.Wouldyounotdoallyoucouldtokeephimfrombeingdraggedoff?Butnowyouseeyourown

brotherbeingdraggedoffunjustlytothedepthofdestruction.Anditisnottheexecutionerwhodragshimof,butthedevil.Wouldyoubesoboldasnotto doyourparttowardrescuinghimfromhistransgression?Ifyoudon'thelphim,whatexcusewouldyoufind?Butyourbrotherisstrongerandmorepowerful thanyou.Showhimtome.Ifhewillstandfastinhisobstinateresolve,Ishallchoosetoriskmyliferatherthanlethimenterthedoorsofthesynagogue. (7)Ishallsaytohim:WhatfellowshipdoyouhavewiththefreeJerusalem,withtheJerusalemabove?Youchosetheonebelowbeaslavewiththatearthly Jerusalemwhich,accordingtothewordoftheApostle,isaslavetogetherwithherchildren.DoyoufastwiththeJews?Thentakeoffyourshoeswiththe Jews,andwalkbarefootinthemarketplace,andsharewiththemintheirindecencyandlaughter.Butyouwouldnotchosetodothisbecauseyouare ashamedandapttoblush.Areyouashamedtosharewiththeminoutwardappearancebutunashamedtoshareintheirimpiety?Whatexcusewillyouhave, youwhoareonlyhalfaChristian? (8)Believeme,IshallriskmylifebeforeIwouldneglectanyonewhoissickwiththisdiseaseifIseehim.IfIfailtoseehim,surelyGodwillgrantme pardon.Andleteachoneofyouconsiderthismatterlethimnotthinkitissomethingofsecondaryimportance.Doyoutakenonoticeofwhatthedeacon continuouslycallsoutinthemysteries?"Recognizeoneanother",hesays.Doyounotseehowheentruststoyouthecarefulexaminationofyourbrothers? DothisinthecaseofJudaizers,too.WhenyouobservesomeoneJudaizing,takeholdofhim,showhimwhatheisdoing,sothatyoumaynotyourselfbean accessorytotheriskheruns. (9)IfanyRomansoldierservingoverseasiscaughtfavoringthebarbariansandthePersians,notonlyisheindangerbutsoalsoiseveryonewhowasaware ofhowthisfeltandfailedtomakethisfactknowntothegeneral.SinceyouarethearmyofChrist,beoverlycarefulinsearchingtoseeifanyonefavoringan alienfaithhasmingledamongyou,andmakehispresenceknownotsothatwemayputhimtodeathasthosegeneralsdid,northatwemaypunishhimor takeourvengeanceuponhim,butthatwemayfreehimfromhiserrorandungodlinessandmakehimentirelyourown. (10)Ifyouareunwillingtodothis,ifyouknowofsuchapersonbutconcealhim,besurethatbothyouandhewillbesubjecttothesamepenalty.ForPaul subjectstochastisementandpunishmentnotonlythosewhocommitactsofwickednessbutalsothosewhoapprovewhattheyhavedone.Theprophet,too, bringstothesamejudgmentnotonlythievesbutalsowhorunwiththethieves.Andthisisquitereasonable.Forifamanisawareofacriminal'sactionsbut coversthemupandconcealsthem,heisprovidingastrongerbasisforthecriminaltobecarelessofthelawandmakinghimlessafraidinhiscareerofcrime. V ButImustgetbackagaintothosewhoaresick.Consider,then,withwhomtheyaresharingtheirfasts.Itiswiththosewhoshouted:"Crucifyhim,Crucify him",withthosewhosaid:"Hisbloodbeuponusanduponourchildren".Ifsomemenhadbeencaughtinrebellionagainsttheirrulerandwerecondemned, wouldyouhavedaredtogouptothemandtospeakwiththem?Ithinknot.Isitnotfoolish,then,toshowsuchreadinesstofleefromthosewhohavesinned againstaman,buttoenterintofellowshipwiththosewhohavecommittedoutragesagainstGodhimself?Isitnotstrangethatthosewhoworshipthe Crucifiedkeepcommonfestivalwiththosewhocrucifiedhim?Isitnotasignoffollyandtheworstmadness? (2)Sincetherearesomewhothinkofthesynagogueasaholyplace,Imustsayafewwordstothem.Whydoyoureverencethatplace?Mustyounot despiseit,holditinabomination,runawayfromit?TheyanswerthattheLawandthebooksoftheprophetsarekeptthere.Whatisthis?Willanyplace wherethesebooksarebeaholyplace?Bynomeans!ThisisthereasonaboveallotherswhyIhatethesynagogueandabhorit.Theyhavetheprophetsbut notbelievethemtheyreadthesacredwritingsbutrejecttheirwitnessandthisisamarkofmenguiltyofthegreatestoutrage. (3)Tellmethis.Ifyouweretoseeavenerableman,illustriousandrenowned,draggedoffintoatavernordenofrobbersifyouweretoseehimoutraged, beaten,andsubjectedtheretotheworstviolence,wouldyouhaveheldthattavernordeninhighesteembecausethatgreatandesteemedmanhadbeen insideitwhileundergoingthatviolenttreatment?Ithinknot.Rather,forthisveryreasonyouwouldhavehatedandabhorredtheplace. (4)Letthatbeyourjudgmentaboutthesynagogue,too.FortheybroughtthebooksofMosesandtheprophetsalongwiththemintothesynagogue,notto honorthembuttooutragethemwithdishonor.WhentheysaythatMosesandtheprophetsknewnotChristandsaidnothingabouthiscoming,whatgreater outragecouldtheydotothoseholymenthantoaccusethemoffailingtorecognizetheirMaster,thantosaythatthosesaintlyprophetsarepartnersoftheir impiety?Andsoitisthatwemusthateboththemandtheirsynagogueallthemorebecauseoftheiroffensivetreatmentofthoseholymen. (5)WhydoIspeakaboutthebooksandthesynagogues?Intimeofpersecution,thepublicexecutionerslayholdofthebodiesofthemartyrs,theyscourge them,andtearthemtopieces.Doesitmaketheexecutioners'handsholybecausetheylayholdofthebodyofholymen?Heavenforbid!Thehandswhich graspedandheldthebodiesoftheholyonesstillstayunholy.Why?Becausethoseexecutionersdidawickedthingwhentheylaidtheirhandsupontheholy. Andwillthosewhohandleandoutragethewritingsoftheholyonesbeanymorevenerableforthisthanthosewhoexecutedthemartyrs?Wouldthatnotbe theultimatefoolishness?Ifthemaltreatedbodiesofthemartyrsdonotsanctifythosewhomaltreatedthembutevenaddtotheirbloodguilt,muchlesscould theScriptures,ifreadwithoutbelief,everhelpthosewhoreadwithoutbelieving.TheveryactofdeliberatelychoosingtomaltreattheScripturesconvicts themofgreatergodlessness. (6)Iftheydidnothavetheprophets,theywouldnotdeservesuchpunishmentiftheyhadnotreadthesacredbooks,theywouldnotbesouncleanandso unholy.But,asitis,theyhavebeenstrippedofallexcuse.Theydohavetheheraldsofthetruthbut,withhostileheart,theysetthemselvesagainstthe prophetsandthetruththeyspeak.Soitisforthisreasonthattheywouldbeallthemoreprofaneandbloodguilty:theyhavetheprophets,buttheytreat themwithhostilehearts. (7)SoitisthatIexhortyoutofleeandshuntheirgatherings.Theharmtheybringtoourweakerbrothersisnotslighttheyoffernoslightexcusetosustainto thefollyoftheJews.Forwhentheyseethatyou,whoworshiptheChristwhomtheycrucified,arereverentlyfollowingtheirrituals,howcantheyfailtothink thattheritestheyhaveperformedarethebestandthatourceremoniesareworthless?Forafteryouworshipandadoreatourmysteries,youruntothevery menwhodestroyourrites.Paulsaid:"Ifamanseesyouthathaveknowledgesitatmeatintheidol'stemple,shallnothisconscience,beingweak,be emboldenedtoeatthosethingswhicharesacrificedtoidols"?Andletmesay:Ifamanseesyouthathaveknowledgecomeintothesynagogueand participateinthefestivaloftheTrumpets,shallnothisconscience,beingweak,beemboldenedtoadmirewhattheJewsdo?Hewhofallsnotonlypaysthe penaltyforhisownfall,butheisalsopunishedbecausehetripsothersaswell.Butthemanwhohasstoodfirmisrewardednotonlybecauseofhisown virtuebutpeopleadmirehimforleadingotherstodesirethesamethings. (8)Therefore,fleethegatheringsandholyplacesoftheJews.Letnomanveneratethesynagoguebecauseoftheholybookslethimhateandavoidit

(8)Therefore,fleethegatheringsandholyplacesoftheJews.Letnomanveneratethesynagoguebecauseoftheholybookslethimhateandavoidit becausetheJewsoutrageandmaltreattheholyones,becausetheyrefusetobelievetheirwords,becausetheyaccusethemoftheultimateimpiety. VI Thatyoumayknowthatthesacredbooksdonotmakeaplaceholybutthatthepurposeofthosewhofrequentaplacedoesmakeitprofane,Ishalltellan oldstory.PtolemyPhiladelphushadcollectedbooksfromallovertheworld.WhenhelearnedthattheJewshadwritingswhichtreatedofGodandtheideal state,hesentformenfromJudeaandhadthemtranslatethosebooks,whichhethenhaddepositedinthetempleofSerapis,forhewasapagan.Uptothe presentdaythetranslatedbooksremainthereinthetemple.ButwillthetempleofSerapisbeholybecauseoftheholybooks?Heavenforbid!Althoughthe bookshavetheirownholiness,theydonotgiveashareofittotheplacebecausethosewhofrequenttheplacearedefiled. (2)Youmustapplythesameargumenttothesynagogue.Evenifthereisnoidolthere,stilldemonsdoinhabittheplace.AndIsaythisnotonlyaboutthe synagoguehereintownbutabouttheoneinDaphneaswellforatDaphneyouhaveamorewickedplaceofperditionwhichtheycallMatrona's.Ihave heardthatmanyofthefaithfulgoupthereandsleepbesidetheplace. (3)ButheavenforbidthatIcallthesepeoplefaithful.FortometheshrineofMatronaandthetempleofApolloareequallyprofane.Ifanyonechargesme withboldness,Iwillinturnchargehimwiththeutmostmadness.For,tellme,isnotthedwellingplaceofdemonsaplaceofimpietyevenifnogod'sstatue standsthere?HeretheslayersofChristgathertogether,herethecrossisdrivenout,hereGodisblasphemed,heretheFatherisignored,heretheSonis outraged,herethegraceoftheSpiritisrejected.DoesnotgreaterharmcomefromthisplacesincetheJewsthemselvesaredemons?Inthepagantemplethe impietyisnakedandobviousitwouldnotbeeasetodeceiveamanofsoundandprudentmindorenticehimtogothere.Butinthesynagoguetherearemen whosaytheyworshipGodandabhoridols,menwhosaytheyhaveprophetsandpaythemhonor.Butbytheirwordstheymakereadyanabundanceofbait tocatchintheirnetsthesimplersoulswhoaresofoolishastobecaughtofguard. (4)SothegodlessnessoftheJewsandthepagansisonapar.ButtheJewspracticeadeceitwhichismoredangerous.Intheirsynagoguestandsaninvisible altarofdeceitonwhichtheysacrificenotsheepandcalvesbutthesoulsofmen. (5)Finally,iftheceremoniesoftheJewsmoveyoutoadmiration,whatdoyouhaveincommonwithus?IftheJewishceremoniesarevenerableandgreat, ourarelies.Butifoursaretrue,astheyaretrue,theirsarefilledwithdeceit.IamnotspeakingoftheScriptures.Heavenforbid!ItwastheScriptureswhich tookmebythehandandledmetoChrist.ButIamtalkingabouttheungodlinessandpresentmadnessoftheJews. (6)Certainlyitisthetimeformetoshowthatdemonsdwellinthesynagogue,notonlyintheplaceitselfbutalsointhesoulsoftheJews.AsChristsaid: "Whenanuncleanspiritisgoneout,hewalksthroughdryplacesseekingrest.Ifhedoesnotfindithesays:Ishallreturntomyhouse.Andcominghefindsit empty,swept,andgarnished.Thenhegoesandtakeswithhimsevenotherspiritsmorewickedthanhimselfandtheyenterintohimandthelaststateofthat manismadeworsethanthefirst.Soshallitbealsotothisgenerations". (7)Doyouseethatdemonsdwellintheirsoulsandthatthesedemonsaremoredangerousthantheonesofold?Andthisisveryreasonable.Intheolddays theJewsactedimpiouslytowardtheprophetsnowtheyoutragetheMasteroftheprophets.Tellmethis.Doyounotshuddertocomeintothesameplace withmenpossessed,whohavesomanyuncleanspirits,whohavebeenrearedamidslaughterandbloodshed?Mustyoushareagreetingwiththemand exchangeabareword?Mustyounotturnawayfromthemsincetheyarethecommondisgraceandinfectionofthewholeworld?Havetheynotcometo everyformofwickedness?Havenotalltheprophetsspentthemselvesmakingmanyandlongspeechesofaccusationagainstthem?Whattragedy,what manneroflawlessnesshavetheynoteclipsedbytheirbloodguiltiness?Theysacrificedtheirownsonsanddaughterstodemons.Theyrefusedtorecognize nature,theyforgotthepangs,ofbirth,theytrodunderfoottherearingoftheirchildren,theyoverturnedfromtheirfoundationsthelawsofkingship,they becamemoresavagethananywildbeast. (8)Wildbeastsoftentimeslaydowntheirlivesandscorntheirownsafetytoprotecttheiryoung.NonecessityforcedtheJewswhentheyslewtheirown childrenwiththeirownhandstopayhonortotheavengingdemons,thefoesofourlife.Whatdeedoftheirsshouldstrikeuswithgreaterastonishment?Their ungodlinessortheircrueltyortheirinhumanity?Thattheysacrificedtheirchildrenorthattheysacrificedthemtodemons?Becauseoftheirlicentiousness,did theynotshowalustbeyondthatofirrationalanimals?Hearwhattheprophetsaysoftheirexcesses."Theyarebecomeasamorousstallions.Everyone neighedafterhisneighbor'swife".Hedidnotsay:"Everyonelustedafterhisneighbor'swife",butheexpressedthemadnesswhichcamefromtheir licentiousnesswiththegreatestclaritybyspeakingofitastheneighingofbrutebeasts. VII Whatelsedoyouwishmetotellyou?ShallItellyouoftheirplundering,theircovetousness,theirabandonmentofthepoor,theirthefts,theircheatingin trade?thewholedaylongwillnotbeenoughtogiveyouanaccountofthesethings.Butdotheirfestivalshavesomethingsolemnandgreataboutthem?They haveshownthatthese,too,areimpure.Listentotheprophetsrather,listentoGodandwithhowstrongastatementheturnshisbackonthem:"Ihavefound yourfestivalshateful,Ihavethrustthemawayfrommyself". (2)DoesGodhatetheirfestivalsanddoyoushareinthem?Hedidnotsaythisorthatfestival,butallofthemtogether.DoyouwishtoseethatGodhates theworshippaidwithkettledrums,withlyres,withharps,andotherinstruments?Godsaid:"TakeawayfrommethesoundofyoursongsandIwillnothear thecanticleofyouharps".IfGodsaid:"Takethemawayfromme",doyouruntolistentothetrumpets?Arethesesacrificesandofferingsnotan abomination?"Ifyoubringmethefinestwheatenflour,itisinvain:incenseisanabominationtome".Theincenseisanabomination.Isnottheplacealsoan abomination?Beforetheycommittedthecrimeofcrimes,beforetheykilledtheirMaster,beforethecross,beforetheslayingofChrist,itwasan abomination.Isitnotnowallthemoreanabomination?Andyetwhatismorefragrantthanincense?ButGodlooksnottothenatureofthegiftsbuttothe intentionofthosewhobringthemitisthisintentionthathejudgestheirofferings. (3)HepaidheedtoAbelandthentohisgifts.HelookedatCainandthenturnedawayfromhisoffering.ForScripturesays:"ForCainandhisofferingshe hadnoregard".NoahofferedtoGodsacrificesofsheepandcalvesandbirds.TheScripturesay:"AndtheLordsmelledasweetodor",thatis,heaccepted theofferings.ForGodhasnonostrilsbutisabodilessspirit.Yetwhatiscarriedupfromthealtaristheodorandsmokefromburningbodies,andnothingis moremalodorousthansuchasavor.ButthatyoumaylearnthatGodattendstotheintentionoftheoneofferingthesacrificeandthenacceptsorrejectsit, Scripturecallstheodorandthesmokeasweetsavorbutitcallstheincenseanabominationbecausetheintentionofthoseofferingitreekedwithagreat

stench. (4)Doyouwishtolearnthat,togetherwiththesacrificesandthemusicalinstrumentsandthefestivalsandtheincense,Godalsorejectsthetemplebecause ofthosewhoenterit?Heshowedthismostlybyhisdeeds,whenhegaveitovertobarbarianhands,andlaterwhenheutterlydestroyedit.Butevenbefore itsdestruction,throughhisprophetheshoutedaloudandsaid:"Putnotyourtrustindeceitfulwordsforitwillnothelpyouwhenyousay:"Thisisthetemple oftheLord!ThetempleoftheLord"!Whattheprophetsaysisthatthetempledoesnotmakeholythosewhogatherthere,butthosewhogathertheremake thetempleholy.IfthetempledidnothelpatatimewhentheCherubimandtheArkwerethere,muchlesswillithelpnowthatallthosethingsaregone,now thatGod'srejectioniscomplete,nowthatthereisgreatergroundforenmity.Howgreatanactofmadnessandderangementwoulditbetotakeasyour partnersinthefestivalsthosewhohavebeendishonored,thosewhomGodhasforsaken,thosewhoangeredtheMaster? (5)Tellmethis.Ifamanweretohaveslainyourson,wouldyouenduretolookuponhim,oraccepthisgreeting?Wouldyounotshunhimasawicked demon,asthedevilhimself?TheyslewtheSonofyourLorddoyouhavetheboldnesstoenterwiththemunderthesameroof?Afterhewasslainhe heapedsuchhonoruponyouthathemadeyouhisbrotherandcoheir.Butyoudishonorhimsomuchthatyoupayhonortothosewhoslewhimonthecross, thatyouobservewiththemthefellowshipofthefestivals,thatyougototheirprofaneplaces,entertheiruncleandoors,andshareinthetablesofdemons. ForIampersuadedtocallthefastingoftheJewsatableofdemonsbecausetheyslewGod.IftheJewsareactingagainstGod,musttheynotbeservingthe demons?Areyoulookingfordemonstocureyou?WhenChristallowedthedemonstoenterintotheswine,straightwaytheyplungedintothesea.Willthese demonssparethebodiesofmen?Iwishtheywouldnotkillmen'sbodies,thattheywouldnotplotagainstthem.Buttheywill.Thedemonscastmenfrom Paradiseanddeprivedthemthehonorfromabove.Willtheycuretheirbodies?Thatisridiculous,merestories.Thedemonsknowhowtoplotanddoharm, nottocure.Theydonotsparesouls.Tellme,then,willtheysparebodies?TheytrytodrivemenfromtheKingdom.Willtheychoosetofreethemfrom disease? (6)Didyounothearwhattheprophetsaid?Rather,didyouhearwhatGodsaidthroughtheprophet?Hesaidthatthedemonscandoneithergoodnorevil. Eveniftheycouldcureandwantedtodosowhichisimpossibleyoumustnottakeanindestructibleandunendingpunishmentinexchangeforaslightbenefit whichcansoonbedestroyed.Willyoucureyourbodyanddestroyyoursoul?Youaremakingapoorexchange.AreyouangeringGodwhomadeyour body,andareyoucallingtoyouraidthedemonwhoplotsagainstyou? (7)Ifanydemonfearingpaganhasmedicalknowledge,willhealsofinditeasytowinyouovertoworshipthepagangods?Thosepagans,too,havetheir skill.They,too,haveoftencuredmanydiseasesandbroughtthesickbacktohealth.Arewegoingtoshareintheirgodlessnessonthisaccount?Heaven forbid!HearwhatMosessaidtotheJews."Ifthereariseinthemidstofyouaprophetoronethatsayshehasdreamedadreamandheforetellasignanda wonder,andthatsignorwonderwhichhespokecometopass,andhesaytoyou:"Letusgoandservestrangegodswhomourfathersdidnotknow,you shallnothearthewordsofthatprophetordreamer". (8)WhatMosesmeansisthis.Ifsomeprophetrisesup,hesays,andperformsasign,byeitherraisingadeadmanorcleansingaleper,orcuringamaimed man,andafterworkingthewondercallsyoutoimpiety,donotheedhimjustbecausehissigncomestopass.Why?"TheLordyourGodistryingyoutosee whetheryoulovehimwithallyourheartandallyoursoul".Fromthisitisclearthatdemonsdonotcure.IfeverGodshouldpermitdemonstocure,ashe mightpermitamantodo,hispermissionisgiventotestyounotbecauseGoddoesnotknowwhatyouare,butthathemayteachyoutorejecteventhe demonswhodocure. (9)AndwhydoIspeakofbodilycures?IfanymanthreatensyouwithGehennaunlessyoudenyChrist,donotheedhiswords.Ifsomeoneshouldpromise youakingdomtorevoltfromtheonlybegottenSonofGod,turnawayfromhimandhatehim.BeadiscipleofPaulandemulatethosewordswhichhis blessedandnoblesoulexclaimedwhenhesaid:"Iamsurethatneitherdeathnorlife,norangels,norprincipalities,norpowers,northingspresent,northings tocome,noheight,nordepth,noranyothercreatureshallbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGod,whichisinChristourLord". (10)Noangels,norpowers,northingspresent,northingstocome,noranyothercreatureseparatedPaulfromtheloveofChrist.Doyourevolttocureyour body?Andwhatexcusecouldwefind?CertainlywemustfearChristmorethanGehennaanddesirehimmorethanakingdom.Evenifwebesick,itis bettertoremaininillhealththantofallintoimpietyforthesakeofacureforevenifademoncuresyou,hehashurtmorethanhehashelped.Hehashelped thebody,whichashorttimelaterwillaltogetherdieandrotaway.Buthehashurtthesoul,whichwillneverdie.Kidnappersoftenenticelittleboysby offeringthemsweets,andcakes,andmarbles,andothersuchthingsthentheydeprivethemoftheirfreedomandtheirverylife.So,too,thedemonspromise cureofalimbandthendashthewholesalvationofthesoulintothesea. (11)Beloved,letusnotputupwiththatineverywayletusseektokeepourselvesfreefromgodlessness.CouldJobnothaveheededhiswife,blasphemed againstGod,andbeenfreefromthedisasterwhichbesethim?"CurseGodanddie"shesaid.Buthechosetosufferthepainandtowasteawayhechoseto endurethatunbearableblowrathertoblasphemeandbefreefromtheevilswhichbesethim.Youmustemulatehim.Ifthedemonshallpromiseyouten thousandcuresfromtheillswhichbesetyou,donotheedhim,donotputupwithhimjustasJobrefusedtoheedhiswife.Chosetoendureyourillness ratherthandestroyyourfaithandthesalvationofyoursoul.Goddoesnotforsakeyou.Itisbecausehewishestoincreaseyourglorythatoftentimeshe permitsyoutofallsick.Keepupyourcouragesothatyoumayalsohearhimsay:"DoyouthinkIhavedealtwithyouotherwisethanthatyoumaybeshown tobejust"? VIII Icouldhavesaidmorethanthis,buttokeepyoufromforgettingwhatIhavesaid,IshallbringmyhomilytoanendherewiththewordsofMoses:"Icall heavenandearthtowitnessagainstyou".Ifanyofyou,whetheryouareherepresentornot,shallgotothespectacleoftheTrumpets,orrushofftothe synagogue,orgouptotheshrineofMatrona,ortakepartinfasting,orshareintheSabbath,orobserveanyotherJewishritualgreatorsmall,Icallheaven andearthasmywitnessesthatIamguiltlessofthebloodofallofyou. (2)ThesewordswillstandbyyoursideandmineonthedayofourLordJesusChrist.Ifyouheedthem,theywillbringyougreatconfidenceifyouheed themnotorconcealanyonewhodarestodothosethings,mywordsshallstandagainstyouasbitteraccusations."ForIhavenotshrunkfromdeclaringto youthewholecounselofGod". (3)Ihavedepositedthemoneywiththebankers.Itremainsforyoutoincreasethedepositandtousetheprofitfrommywordsforthesalvationofyour brothers.Doyoufinditanoppressiveburdentodenouncethosewhocommitthesesins?Itisanoppressiveburdentoremainsilent.Forthissilencemakes

brothers.Doyoufinditanoppressiveburdentodenouncethosewhocommitthesesins?Itisanoppressiveburdentoremainsilent.Forthissilencemakes youanenemytoGodandbringsdestructionbothtoyouwhoconcealsuchsinnersandtothosewhosesinsgounrevealed.Howmuchbetteritistobecome hatefultoourfellowservantsforsavingthemtoprovokeGod'sangeragainstyourselves.Evenifyourfellowservantbevexedwithyounow,hewillnotbe abletoharmyoubutwillbegratefullateronforhiscure.Butifyouseektowinyourfellowservant'sfavor,ifyouremainsilentandhurthimbyconcealinghis sin,Godwillexactfromyoutheultimatepenalty.YoursilencewillmakeGodyourfoeandwillhurtyourbrotherifyoudenouncehimandrevealhissin,you willmakeGodpropitiousandbenefityourbrotherandyouwillgainasafriendonewhowascrazedbutwholearnedfromexperiencethatyouservedhim well. (4)Donotthink,then,thatyouaredoingyourbrothersafavorifyoushouldseethempursuingsomeabsurdityandshouldfailtoaccusethemwithallzeal.If youloseacloak,doyounotconsiderasyourfoenotonlytheonewhostoleitbutalsothemanwhoknewofthetheftandrefusedtodenouncethethief? OurcommonMother(theChurch)haslostnotacloakbutabrother.ThedevilstolehimandnowholdshiminJudaism.Youknowwhostolehimyouknow himwhowasstolen.Doyouseemelighting,asitwere,thelampofmyinstructionandsearchingeverywhereinmygrief?Anddoyoustandsilent,refusingto denouncehim?Whatexcusewillyouhave?WilltheChurchnotreckonyouamongherworstenemies?Willshenotconsideryouafoeanddestroyer? (5)HeavenforbidthatanyonewhohearsmywordsofadviceshouldcommitsuchasinastobetraythebrotherforwhomChristdied.Christpouredouthis bloodonhisaccount.Areyoutooreluctanttoutterawordonthisaccount?Iurgeyounottobesoreluctant.Rightafteryouleavehere,stiryourselvesto thechaseandleteachofyoubringmeoneofthosesufferingfromthisdisease. (6)Butheavenforbidthatsomanybesickwithit.Lettwoorthree,ortenortwentyofyoubringmeoneman.OnethedayyoudoandwhenIseeinyour netsthegameyouhavecaught,Iwillsetbeforeyouamoreplentifultable.IfIseethattheadviceIgavetodayhasbeenputtowork,Ishallbemorezealous inundertakingthecureofthosemen,andthiswillbeagreaterboonbothforyouandthem. (7)Donotregardmywordslightly.Bescrupulousinhuntingoutthosewhosufferfromthissickness.Letthewomensearchforthewomen,themenforthe men,theslavesfortheslaves,thefreemenforthefreemen,andthechildrenforthechildren.Comeallofyoutoournextmeetingwithsuchsuccessthatyou winpraisefrommeand,beforeanypraiseofmine,thatyouobtain,fromGodagreatandindescribablerewardwhichinabundantmeasuresurpassesthe laborsofthosewhosucceed.MayallofusobtainthisbythegraceandlovingkindnessofourLordJesusChrist,throughwhomandwithwhombegloryto theFathertogetherwiththeHolySpiritnowandforever,worldwithoutend.Amen.

HOMILYIIAgainstthosewhofastthefastoftheJewsandagainsttheJewsthemselves.DeliveredaftertheotherhomilyhasbeengivenandfivedaysbeforetheJewish fast. THEWICKEDANDUNCLEANFASToftheJewsisnowatourdoors.Thoughtitisafast,donotwonderthatIhavecalleditunclean.Whatisdone contrarytoGod'spurpose,beitsacrificeorfast,isthemostabominableofallthings.Theirwickedfastwillbeginafterfivedays.Tendaysago,ormorethan ten,Ianticipatedthisandgaveanexhortationwiththehopeitwouldmakeyourbrotherssafe.Letnoonefindfaultandsaymydiscoursewasuntimely becauseIgaveitsomanydaysbeforehand.Whenafeverthreatens,oranyotherdisease,physiciansanticipatethisandwithmanyremediesmakesafeand securethebodyofthemanwhowillbeseizedbythefevertheyhurrytosnatchhisbodyfromthedangerswhichthreatenitbeforethepatientexperiences theironset. (2)SinceI,too,seethataveryseriousdiseaseisgoingtocomeuponyou,longbeforehandIgaveyousolemnwarningsothatyoumightapplycorrective measuresbeforetheevilattacked.Thiswasmyreasonfornotwaitinguntiljustbeforethedaysoffastingtoexhortyou.Ididnotwantthelackoftimeto stopyoufromhuntingoutyourbrothersIhopedthatwiththespanofmanydaysyoumightbeabletotrackdownwithallfearlessnessthosewhoare sufferingfromthisdiseaseandrestorethemtohealth. (3)Menwhoaregoingtocelebrateaweddingorprepareasumptuousfeastdothissamething.Theydonotwaitforthedayitself.Longbeforehandthey speakwiththefishermenandbirdhunterssothatthebrevityoftimemaypresentnoobstacletopreparingforthebanquet.SinceI,too,amgoingtoseta banquetbeforeyouagainsttheobstinacyoftheJews,Ihavegottenaheadstartintalkingtoyou,thefishermen,thatyoumaysweepupyourweaker brothersinyournetsandbringthemtohearwhatIhavetosay. (4)Thoseofyouwhodidfishandhaveyourcatchsecurelyinyournets,remainsteadfastandbindthemtightwithyourwordsofexhortation.Thoseofyou whohavenotyettakenthisgoodlycatchhavetimeenoughinthesefivedaystotrapandovercomeyourprey.Soletusspreadoutthenetsofinstruction likeapackofhuntingdogsletuscircleaboutandsurroundourquarryletusdrivethemtogetherfromeverysideandbringthemintosubjectiontothelaws oftheChurch.Ifyouthinkitisagoodidea,letussendtopursuethemthebestofhuntsmen,theblessedPaul,whoonceshoutedaloudandsaid:"Behold,I, Paul,tellyouthatifyoubecircumcised,Christwillbeofnoadvantagetoyou." (5)Whenwildbeastsandsavageanimalsarehidingunderathicketandheartheshoutofthehunter,theyleapupinfear.Theloudclamordrivesthemfrom theirhidingand,evenagainsttheirwill,thehunter'scryforcesthemout,andmanyatimetheyfallrightintothenets.So,too,yourbrothersarehidinginwhat ImightcallthethicketofJudaism.IftheyheartheshoutofPaul,Iamsurethattheywilleasilyfallintothenetsofsalvationandwillputasidealltheerrorof theJews.ForitisnotPaulwhospoke,butChrist,whomovedPaul'ssoul.Sowhenyouhearhimshoutandsay:"Behold,I,Paul,tellyou,"considerthat onlytheshoutisPaul'sthethoughtandtheteachingareChrist's,whoisspeakingtoPaulfromwithinhisheart. (6)Butsomeonemightsay:"IstheresomuchharmincircumcisionthatitmakesChrist'swholeplanofredemptionuseless?Yes,theharmofcircumcisionis asgreatasthat,notbecauseofitsownbutbecauseofyourobstinacy.Therewasatimewhenthelawwasusefulandnecessary,butnowithasceasedand isfruitless.Ifyoutakeitonyourselftobecircumcisednow,whenthetimeisnolongerright,itmakesthegiftofGoduseless.Itisbecauseyouarenotwilling tocometohimthatChristwillbeofnoadvantagetoyou.Supposesomeoneshouldbecaughtintheactofadulteryandthefoulestcrimesandthenbe thrownintoprison.Suppose,next,thatjudgmentwasgoingtobepassedagainsthimandthathewouldbecondemned.Supposethatjustatthatmomenta lettershouldcomefromtheEmperorsettingfreefromanyaccountingorexaminationallthosedetainedinprison.Iftheprisonershouldrefusetotake advantageofthepardon,remainobstinateandchoosetobebroughttotrial,togiveanaccount,andtoundergopunishment,hewillnotbeablethereafterto availhimselfoftheEmperor'sfavor.Forwhenhemadehimselfaccountabletothecourt,examination,andsentence,hechoseofhisownaccordtodeprive

availhimselfoftheEmperor'sfavor.Forwhenhemadehimselfaccountabletothecourt,examination,andsentence,hechoseofhisownaccordtodeprive himselfoftheimperialgift. (7)ThisiswhathappenedinthecaseoftheJews.Lookhowitis.Allhumannaturewastakeninthefoulestevils."Allhavesinned,"sayPaul.Theywere locked,asitwere,inaprisonbythecurseoftheirtransgressionoftheLaw.Thesentenceofthejudgewasgoingtobepassedagainstthem.Aletterfrom theKingcamedownfromheaven.Rather,theKinghimselfcame.Withoutexamination,withoutexactinganaccount,hesetallmenfreefromtheclaimsof theirsin. II All,then,whoruntoChristaresavedbyhisgraceandprofitfromhisgift.ButthosewhowishtofindjustificationfromtheLawwillalsofallfromgrace.They willnotbeabletoenjoytheKing'slovingkindnessbecausetheyarestrivingtogainsalvationbytheirowneffortstheywilldrawdownonthemselvesthe curseoftheLawbecausefromtheworksoftheLawnofleshwillfindjustification.SoitisthatPaulsays:"Ifyoubecircumcised,Christwillbeofno advantagetoyou."ForthemanwhostrivestogainsalvationfromtheworksoftheLawshasnothingincommonwithgrace.ThisiswhatPaulhintedatwhen hesaid:"Ifoutofgrace,thennotinvirtueofworksotherwisegraceisnolongergrace.Butifoutofworks,nolongerisitgrace:otherwiseworkisnolonger work."Andagain:"IfjusticebebytheLaw,thenChristdiedinvain."Andagain:"YouwhoarejustifiedintheLawarefallenfromgrace."Youhavediedto theLaw,youhavebecomeacorpsehereafteryouarenolongerunderitsyoke,youarenolongersubjecttoitsnecessity.Why,then,doyoustrivetomake troubleforyourselfwhenitisalltonopurposeandinvain? (2)WhenPaulsaid:"Behold,I,Paul,tellyou,"whydidheaddhisname?Whydidhenotsimplysay:"Behold,Itellyou"?Hewantedtoremindthemofthe zealwhichhehadshownwithregardtoJudaism.Whatheissayingisthis:"IfIwereagentileandknewnothingofJewishmatters,perhapssomeonewould saythat,becauseIhadnoshareintheJewishplananddispensation,becauseIdidnotknowthepowerofcircumcision,Irejectitfromthedogmasofthe Church."Thisiswhyheaddedhisname.HewishedtoremindthemofwhathehaddoneinbehalfoftheLaw.Itisalmostasifheweretosay:"Idothisnot thoroughhatredofcircumcisionbutinfullknowledgeofthetruth.I,Paul,saythis,thatPaulwhowascircumcisedontheeighthday,whoamanIsraeliteby birth,aHebrewoftheHebrews,ofthetribeofBenjamin,aPhariseeaccordingtotheLaw,whozealouslypersecutedtheChurch,whoenteredhouses, draggedoutmenandwomen,andhandedthemoverintocustody.AllthiscouldpersuadeeventhosewhoareverystupidthatIsetdownthislawnot throughanyhatrednorinignoranceofthingsJewishbutinfullknowledgeofthesurpassingtruthofChrist."AndItestifyagaintoeverymanwhohashimself circumcised,thatheisboundtoobservetheLaw". (3)Whydidhenotsay:"Iexhort",or"Icommand",or"Isay"?Whydidhesay:"Itestify?Sothathemight,bythisword,remindusofthefuturejudgment. Wheretherearewitnesseswhotestify,therealsoarejudgmentsandsentences.Heisfrighteninghishearer,then,byremindinghimoftheroyalthroneandby showinghimthatthoseverywordswillbehiswitnessonthatdaywheneachmanwillgiveanaccountofwhathehasdone,whathehassaid,andwhathe hasheard.TheGalatiansheardthosewordsindaysgoneby.LetthosewhoaresickwiththeGalatians'diseasehearthemagaintoday.Iftheyarenot present,letthemhearthroughyouthewordsthatPaulexclaimedandsaid:"Itestifyagaintoeverymanwhohashimselfcircumcised,thatheisboundto observethewholeLaw. (4)DonottellmethatcircumcisionisjustasinglecommanditisthatverycommandwhichimposesonyoutheentireyokeoftheLaw.Whenyousubject yourselftotheruleoftheLawinonepart,youmustalsoobeyitscommandsinallotherthings.Ifyoudonotfulfillit,youmustbepunishedanddrawitscurse uponyourself.Whenasparrowhasfallenintothehunter'snet,evenifonlyitsfootiscaught,alltherestofitsbodyiscaughtaswell.So,too,themanwho fulfillsasinglecommandmentoftheLaw,beitcircumcisionorfasting,throughthatonecommandment,hasgiventheLawfullpoweroverhimselfaslongas heiswilling,andifheiswillingtoobeyapartoftheLaw,hecannotavoidobeyingthewholeLaw. (5)WedonotsaythisinaccusationoftheLaw.Heavenforbid!WesayitbecausewewishtoshowforththesurpassingrichesofthegraceofChrist.For theLawisnotcontrarytoChrist.Howcoulditbe,whenheistheonewhogavetheLaw,whentheLawleadsustohim?Butweareforcedtosayallthese thingsbecauseoftheuntimelycontentiousnessofthosewhodonotusetheLawastheyshould.TheoneswhooutragetheLawarethosewhobidusstand apartfromitonceandforallandcometoChrist,andthentellustoholdfasttoitagain.TheLawhasprofitedournatureverymuch.Iagreetothatand wouldneverdenyit.ButyouJudaizersclingtoitbeyondthepropertimeandwillnotletusseehowveryusefulithasbeen. (6)Itwouldbethegreatestsourceofpraiseforatutorifhisyoungpupilnolongerneededhimtokeepwatchoverhisconductbecausetheladhad advancedsogreatervirtue.So,too,itwouldbethegreatestpraisefortheLawthatwenolongerhadneedofitshelp.FortheLawhasbroughtthatvery thingtopassforus:ithaspreparedoursoultoreceiveagreaterphilosophy. (7)SoitisthathewhostillsitsatthefeetoftheLawandcanseenothinggreaterthanwhatiswrittenthereinderivesnogreatprofitfromit.ButIputtheLaw asideandrantotheloftierteachingsofChristyetIcouldgranttotheLawthegreatestdignitybecauseitmademesuchthatIcouldgobeyondthetrivialities writtenthereinandrisetotheloftinessoftheteachingwhichcomestousfromChrist. (8)TheLawdidprofitournaturegreatly,butonlyifitledussincerelytoChrist.Ifthisbenotthecase,itdidusharmbydeprivingusofthegreaterthings becauseofourcloseattentiontothosewhicharelessitalsohurtusbystillkeepingusinthecountlesswoundsofourtransgressions.Supposetherewere twophysicians,oneweaker,theotherstronger.Iftheweakeroneappliedmedicinestotheulcersbutcouldnotfreethesickmanonceandforallfromthe paincomingfromhissores,then....... III "Ifthereforeyouareofferingyourgiftatthealtar,andthereyourememberthatyourbrotherhasanythingagainstyou,>leavethereyourofferingbeforethe altarandgofirsttobereconciledtoyourbrother,andthencomeandofferyourgift".Christdidnotsay:"Submityourofferingandthengoaway",but"Letit staythereunofferedandgofirsttobereconciledtoyourbrother". (2)Nordidhedothisonlyherebutagaininanotherplace.Ifamanhasaninfidelwife,thatis,agentile,heisnotforcedtoputheraway.ForSt.Paulsaid: "Ifanymanhasanunbelievingwifeandsheconsentstolivewithhim,lethimnotputheraway.Butifhehasawifewhoisaharlotandanadulteress,thereis nothingtostophimfromputtingheraway.ForChristsaid:"Everyonewhoputsawayhiswifesaveonaccountofimmorality,causeshertocommitadultery. Andsoheisallowedtoputherawaybecauseofimmorality.

(3)DoyouseeGod'slovingkindnessandconcern?Hesays:"Ifyourwifebeagentile,donotputheraway.Butifshebeaharlot,Idonotstopyoufrom doingso".Whathemeansisthis:IfsheactsoutrageouslytowardMe,donotputherawayifsheoutragesyou,thereisnoonetostopyoufromputtingher away."IfGod,then,showedussuchhonor,willwenotdeemhimdeservingofequalhonor?Willwelethimbeoutragedbyourwives?Willwepermitthis eventhoughwerealizethatthegreatestpunishmentandvengeancewillbestoredupforuswhenweneglectthesalvationofourwives? (4)Thisiswhyhemadeyoutobeheadofthewife.ThisiswhyPaulgavetheorder:"Ifwiveswishtolearnanything,letthemasktheirownhusbandsat home",sothatyou,likeateacher,aguardian,apatron,mighturgehertogodliness.Yetwhenthehoursetfortheservicessummonsyoutothechurch,you failtorouseyourwifefromtheirsluggishindifference.ButnowthatthedevilsummonsyourwivestothefeastoftheTrumpetsandtheyturnareadyearto thiscall,youdonotrestrainthem.Youletthementanglethemselvesinaccusationsofungodliness,youletthembedraggedoffintolicentiousways.For,asa rule,itistheharlots,theeffeminates,andthewholechorusfromthetheaterwhorushtothatfestival. (5)AndwhydoIspeakoftheimmoralitythatgoesonthere?Areyounotafraidthatyourwifemaynotcomebackfromthereafterademonhaspossessed hersoul?DidyounothearinmypreviousdiscoursetheargumentwhichclearlyprovedtousthatdemonsdwellintheverysoulsoftheJewsandinplacesin whichtheygather?Tellme,then.HowdoyouJudaizershavetheboldness,afterdancingwithdemons,tocomebacktotheassemblyoftheapostles?After youhavegoneoffandsharedwiththosewhoshedthebloodofChrist,howisitthatyoudonotshuddertocomebackandshareinhissacredbanquet,to partakeofhispreciousblood?Doyounotshiver,areyounotafraidwhenyoucommitsuchoutrages?Haveyousolittlerespectforthatverybanquet? (6)Ihavespokenthesewordstoyou.YouwillspeakthemtothoseJudaizers,andtheytotheirwives."Fortifyoneanother".Ifacatechumenissickwiththis disease,lethimbekeptoutsidethechurchdoors.Ifthesickonebeabelieverandalreadyinitiated,lethimbedrivenfromtheholytable.Fornotallsins needexhortationandcounselsomesins,oftheirverynature,demandcurebyaquickandsharpexcision.Thewoundswecantoleraterespondtomore gentlecuresthosewhichhavefesteredandcannotbecured,thosewhicharefeedingontherestofthebody,needcauterizationwithapointofsteel.Soisit withsins.Someneedlongexhortationothersneedsharprebuke. (7)ThisiswhyPauldidnotenjoinustoexhortineverycasebutalsotorebukesharply:"Whereforerebukethemsharply".Therefore,Iwillnowrebuke themsharply,sothattheymayaccusethemselvesandfeelshameforwhattheyhavedone.Thentheywillneveragainbehurtbythatsinfulfast. (8)SoIshallputasideexhortationhenceforthasItestifyandexclaim:"IfanymandoesnotlovetheLordJesusChrist,letacursebeuponhim".What greaterevidencecouldtherebethatamandoesnotloveourLordthanwhenheparticipatesinthefestivalwiththosewhoslewChrist?ItwasnotIwho hurledthecurseatthem,butPaul.Rather,itwasnotPaulbutChrist,whospokethroughhimandsaidearlier:"Thosewhoarejustifiedinthelawhavefallen awayfromgrace". (9)Sospeakthesewordstothem,readaloudtothemthesetexts.Showallyourzealinsavingthem.Whenyouhavesnatchedthemfromthedevil'sjaws, bringthemtomeonthedayoftheJewishfast.Then,afterIhavekepttherestofmypromisetoyou,letus,withoneaccordandwithonevoice,joinour brothersingivingglorytoGodandtheFatherofourLordJesusChrist,fortoHimisgloryforever.Amen.

HOMILYIIIAgainstthosewhokeepthefirstPaschalFast ONCEAGAINANECESSARYandpressingneedhasinterruptedthesequenceofmyrecentdiscourses.Imustputasidemystruggleswiththeheretics fortodayandturnmyattentiontothisnecessarybusiness.ForIwasreadytoaddressyourlovingassemblyagainonthegloryoftheonlybegottenSonof God.Buttheuntimelyobstinacyofthosewhowishtokeepthefirstpaschalfastforcesmetodevotemyentireinstructiontotheircure.Forthegood shepherddoesmorethandriveawaythewolveshealsoismostdiligentincaringforhissheepwhoaresick.Whatdoeshegainiftheflocksescapethejaws ofthewildbeastsbutarethendevouredbydisease? (2)Thebestgeneralistheonewhonotonlyrepelsthesiegeenginesoftheenemybutfirstputsdownrebellionwithinhisowncity.Heknowswellthatthere willbenovictoryoveranoutsidefoeaslongasthereiscivilwarwithin.Doyounotknowthatthereisnomoredestructiveforcethanrebellionand obstinacy?ListentothewordsofChrist:"Akingdomdividedagainstitselfshallnotstand."Andyet,whatismorepowerfulthanakingdomwhichpossesses revenuesofmoney,weapons,walls,fortresses,solargeanumberofsoldiers,horses,andtenthousandothersourcesofstrength? (3)Butevenpowerasgreatasthatisdestroyedwhenitrevoltsagainstitself.Nothingproducesweaknesssoeffectivelyascontentiousnessandstrifeand nothingproducespowerandstrengthsoeffectivelyasloveandconcord.WhenSolomongraspedthistruthhesaid:"Abrotherthatishelpedbyhisbrotheris likeastrongcityandkingdomboltedandbarred."Doyouseethegreatstrengthwhichcomesfromconcord?Anddoyouseethegreatharmcausedby contentiousness?Akingdominrevoltdestroysitself.Whentwobrothersareboundtogetherandunitedintoone,theyaremoreunbreakablethananywall. (4)Iknowthat,byGod'sgrace,mostmembersofmyflockarefreefromthisdiseaseandthatthesicknessinvolvesonlyafew.Butthisisnoreasonforme torelaxmycare.Ifonlyten,orfive,ortwo,orevenoneweresick,hemustnotbeneglected.Ifthereisonlyoneworthlessoutcast.stillheisabrother,and Christdiedforhim.AndChristmadegreataccountoftheweakones.Hesaid:"Whoevercausesoneoftheselittleoneswhobelieveinmetosin,itwere betterforhimtohaveagreatmillstonehungaroundhisneck,andtobedrownedinthesea."Andagain:"Aslongasyoudidnotdoitforoneoftheselittle ones,youdidnotdoitforme."Andagain:"ItisnotthewillofyourFatherinheaventhatasingleoneoftheselittleonesshouldperish." (5)Isitnotabsurd,whenChristshowssuchcareforhislittleones,thatweshouldrefusetocareforthem?Donotsay:"Heisoneperson."Rather,youmust say:"Heisone,yes,butifwedonottakecareofhim,hewillspreadthediseasetotherest."Paulsaid:"Alittleleavenfermentsthewholemass."Andour neglectofthelittleonesiswhatoverturnsanddestroyseverything.Neglectedwoundsbecomeserious,justastheseriouswoundswouldeasilybecome minoriftheyreceivethepropercare. (6)Moreover,thefirstthingIhavetosaytotheJudaizersisthatnothingisworsethancontentiousnessandfighting,thantearingtheChurchasunderand rendingintomanypartstherobewhichtherobbersdidnotdaretorip.Arenotalltheotherheresiesenoughwithoutourtearingeachotherapart?Youmust listentoPaulwhenhesays:"Butifyoubiteanddevouroneanother,takeheedoryouwillbeconsumedbyoneanother."

listentoPaulwhenhesays:"Butifyoubiteanddevouroneanother,takeheedoryouwillbeconsumedbyoneanother." (7)Tellmethis.Doyoustrayoutsidetheflockandhaveyounofearofthelionthatprowlsaboutoutsidethefold?"Foryourenemy,likealion,goesabout seekingwhomhemayseize."Hereyouseeashepherd'swisdom.Hedoesnotletthelioninamongthesheepforfearthelionmayterrifytheflock.Nordoes hedrivethelionawayfromoutsidethefold.Why?Sothathemaygatherallthesheeptogetherinsidethefold,becausetheyareafraidofthewildbeast outside.Doyouhavenoreverenceandrespectforyourfather?Thenfearyourfoe.Ifyouseparateyourselffromtheflock,yourenemywillsurelycatchyou. (8)Christ,too,couldhavedriventheenemyawayfromtheoutsideofthefold.Buttomakeyousoberandwatchful,tomakeyouconstantlyruntoyour Motherforrefuge,hepermittedhimtoroaroutsidethefold.Whydidhedothis?Sothatwhenthosewithinthefoldhearhisroar,theymaytakerefuge togetherandbemorecloselyboundtooneanother.Motherswholovetheirchildrenalsodothis:whentheirchildrencry,theyoftenthreatentothrowthem tothejawsofthewolves.Ofcourse,theywouldnotthrowthemtothewolvesbuttheysaytheywilltostopthechildrenfrombotheringthem.Everything Christdidwasdonetokeepusboundtogetherandlivingatpeacewithoneanother. II AndsoitwasthatPaulcouldhaveaccusedtheCorinthiansofmanygreatcrimesbutlieaccusedthemofcontentiousnessbeforeanyother.Hecouldhave accusedthemoffornication,ofpride,oftakingtheirquarrelstothepagancourts,ofbanquetsintheshrinesofidols.Hecouldhavechargedthatthewomen didnotveiltheirheadsandthatthemendid.Overandabovealltiffs,hecouldhaveaccusedthemofneglectingthepoor,ofthepridetheytookintheir charismaticgifts,andinthematteroftheresurrectionofthebody.Butsince,alongwiththese,hecouldalsofindfaultwiththembecauseoftheirdissensions andquarrelswithoneanother,hepassedoveralltheothercrimes,andcorrectedtheircontentiousnessfirst. (2)IfyouwillnotthinkIammakinganuisanceofmyselfonthispoint,IshallclarifyitfromPaul'sownwords.Hedidgivetopprioritytocorrectingthe Corinthians'obstinacyandcontentiousness.Andhedidthiseventhoughhecouldchargethemwithallthoseothercrimes.Hearwhathesaysabouttheir fornication:"Itisactuallyreportedthatthereislewdconductamongyou."Thattheywerepuffedupandproud:"AsifIwerenotcomingtoyou,someare puffedup."Again,thattheywouldpleadtheircasesinthepagancourts:"Dareanyofyou,havingamatteragainstanother,bringyourcasetobejudged beforeunbelievers?"Thattheyatemeatofferedtoidols:"YoucannotbepartakersofthetableoftheLordandofthetableofdevils."Hearhiswordsof reproachforthewomenwhodonotveiltheirheadsandthemenwhodo."Everymanprayingorprophesyingwithhisheadcovered,disgraceshishead.But everywomanprayingorprophesyingwithherheaduncovered,disgracesherhead.Heshowedthattheyneglectedthepoorwhenhesaid:"Oneishungry andanotherdrinksovermuch.Andagain:"ordoyoudespisethechurchofGodandputtoshametheneedy?"Whentheywerealljumpingforthemore importantcharismaticgiftsandnoonewassatisfiedwiththelessimportant,hesaid:"Areallapostles?Areallprophets?"Wecanconcludethattheywere raisingdoubtsabouttheresurrectionbecausehesays:"Butsomeonewillsay:'Howdothedeadrise?Orwithwhatkindofbodydotheycome?" (3)Althoughhecouldmakesomanyaccusations,hisfirstchargeagainsttheCorinthianswasdissensionandcontentiousness.Attheverybeginningofhis letterhesaid:"Ibeseechyou,brethren,bythenameofourLordJesusChrist,thatyouallsaythesamething,andthattherebenodissensionsamongyou." Forheknew,heknewclearly,thatthisproblemwasmoreurgentthantheothers.Ifthefornicator,orthebraggart.oramaninthegripofanyothervice comesfrequentlytothechurch,hewillquicklydrawprofitfromtheinstruction,thrustasidehissin,andreturntohealth. (4)Butwhenamanhasbrokenawayfromthisassembly,whenhehaswithdrawnfromtheinstructionofthefathers,whenhehasfledfromthephysician's clinic,evenifheappearstobeingoodhealth,liewillsoonfallsick?Thebestphysiciansfirstquenchthefiresoffeverandthencurethewoundsand fractures.ThatiswhatPauldid.Hefirstremovedthedissensionandthencuredtheirwoundslimbbylimb.Andsoliespokeofdissensionbeforetheother sins,sothattheCorinthianswouldnotstandapartinstrife,sothattheywouldnotchoosetheleaderswhomtheyshouldfollow,sothattheywouldnotdivide upthebodyofChristintomanyparts? (5)ButhewastalkingnotonlytotheCorinthianshewasalsospeakingtothosewhowouldcomeafterthemandsufferfromthesameCorinthiandisease.I wouldbegladtoaskthoseofuswhoaresickwiththisillness:WhatisthePaschwhatisLent?WhatbelongstotheJews:whatbelongstous?Whydoes theirPaschcomeonceeachyearwhydowecelebrateourseachtimewegathertocelebratethemysteries?Whatdoesthefeastofunleavenedbread mean?AndIwouldliketoaskthemmanymorequestionswhichcontributetounderstandingthissubject. (6)IfIweretoaskthem,youwouldthenclearlyknowhowuntimelythecontentiousnessofthesemenis.Theycannotexplainwhattheydo.Buttheyrefuse toaskanybody,justasiftheywerewiserthananybodyelse.Theydeservethestrongestcondemnationbecausetheydonothavetheanswersthemselves, buttheyrefusetofollowthosewhohavebeenappointedtoleadthem.Theyhavesimplyriskedalltheyhaveonthissillypracticeandarethrowing themselvesheadfirstdownintothedepthsofdanger. III WhenIhavethistosayagainstthem,whatargumentoftheirswillseemclever?Theyask:"Didyounotobservethisfastbefore?"Itisnotyourplacetosay thistome,butIwouldbejustifiedintellingyouthatwe,too,fastedatthistimeinearlierdays,butstillweputmoreimportanceonpeacethanonthe observanceofdates.AndIsaytoyouwhatPaulsaidtotheGalatians:"Becomelikeme,becauseIalsohavebecomelikeyou."Whatdoesthismean?He wasurgingthemtorenouncecircumcision,toscorntheSabbath,thefeastdays,andalltheotherobservancesoftheLaw.Whenhesawtheywerefrightened andafraidthattheymightbesubjectedtochastisementandpunishmentfortheirtransgression,hegavethemcouragebytheexampleofhisownactionswhen hesaid:"Becomelikeme,becauseIalsohavebecomelikeyou." (2)For,hesaid,IdidnotcomefromtheGentiles,didl?IwasnotwithoutexperienceoftheJewishwayoflifeundertheLawandthepunishmentsetfor thosewhotransgressit,wasI?"IamaHebrewoftheHebrewsasregardstheLaw,aPhariseeasregardszeal,apersecutoroftheChurch.Butthethings thatweregaintome,these,forthesakeofChrist,lcountedloss."Thatis,onceandforallIstoodalooffromthem.Therefore,becomelikeme,forI,too, wasasyouare. (3)ButwhydoIspeakonmyownaccount?ThreehundredFathersorevenmoregatheredtogetherinthelandofBithyniaandordainedthisbylawyetyou disdaintheirdecrees.Youmustchooseoneoftwocourses:eitheryouchargethemwithignorancefortheirwantofexactknowledgeonthismatter,oryou chargethemwithcowardicebecausetheywerenotignorant,butplayedthehypocriteandbetrayedthetruth.Whenyoudonotabidebywhattheydecreed, thisisexactlythechoiceyoumustmake.ButalltheeventsoftheCouncilmakeitclearthattheyshowedgreatwisdomandcourageatthattime.Thearticle

offaiththeysetforthattheCouncilshowhowwisetheywere,becausetheyblockedupthemouthsofhereticsand,likeanimpregnablewall,theyrepelled thetreacheryofeveryhostileattack.TheyprovedtheircourageduringthewarwagedontheChurchesandthepersecutionwhichhadbutlatelycometoan end. (4)Likechampionsinbattlewhohavesetupmanymemorialsofvictoryandhavesufferedmanywounds,so,too,thesechampionsoftheChurches,who couldcountthemanytorturestheyhadenduredfortheirconfessionofthefaith,cametogetherfromeveryside,bearingontheirbodiesthemarksofChrist's wounds.Somecouldtelloftheirhardshipsinthemines,othersoftheconfiscationofalltheirpossessions,andstillothersofstarvationandcontinuous floggings.Somecouldshowwherethefleshhadbeentornfromtheirribs,somewheretheirbackshadbeenbroken,somewheretheireyeshadbeendug out,andstillotherswheretheyhadlostsomeotherpartoftheirbodiesforthesakeofChrist.Atthattimethewholesynodalgathering,weldedtogetherfrom thesechampions,alongwiththeirdefinitionofwhatChristiansmustbelieve,alsopassedadecreethattheycelebratethepaschalfeastinharmonytogether. Theyrefusedtobetraytheirfaithinthosemostdifficulttimes[ofpersecution]wouldtheysinktopretenseanddeceitonthequestionoftheEaster observance? (5)LookwhatyoudowhenyoucondemnFatherssogreat,socourageous,sowise.IfthePhariseelostalltheblessingshepossessedbecausehe condemnedthepublican,whatexcusewillyouhave,whatdefensewillyoumakeforrisingupagainstthesegreatteachersbelovedofGod,especiallysince yourattackissounjustandirrational?DidyounothearChristhimselfsay:"WheretwoorthreearegatheredtogetherinmynamethereamIinthemidstof them?ButifChristisintheirmidstwheretwoorthreearegatheredtogether,wasnothispresenceallthemorepervasiveamongthemorethanthreehundred FathersatNicaea?Christwaspresentthere,itwasChristwhoformulatedandpassedthelaws.YetyoucondemnnotonlytheCouncilFathersbutthe wholeworldwhichapprovedtheirjudgment. (6)DoyouconsiderthattheJewsarewiserthantheFatherswhocamefromeverywhereintheworld?HowcanyoudothatwhentheJewshavebeen drivenfromtheirancestralcommonwealthandwayoflifeandhavenosacredfestivaltocelebrate?IhearmanysaythatthePaschandthefeastof unleavenedbreadareone.Butthereisnofeastofunleavenedbreadamongthem,noristhereaPasch.Whyistherenofeastofunleavenedbreadamong them?HearthewordsoftheLawgiver:"YoumaynotsacrificethePassoverinanyoneofthecitieswhichtheLordyourGodgivesyou,butonlyintheplace inwhichHisnameshallbeinvoked."AndMoseswasherespeakingofJerusalem. (7)DoyouseehowGodconfinedthefestivaltoonecity,andlaterdestroyedthecitysothat,evenifitwasagainsttheirwills,hemightleadthemawayfrom thatwayoflife?Surely,itiscleartoeverybodythatGodforesawwhatwouldcometopass.Why,then,didhebringthemtogethertothatlandfromallover theworldifheforesawthattheircitywouldbedestroyed?Isitnotveryobviousthathedidthisbecausehewishedtobringtheirritualtoanend?Goddid bringtheritualtoanend,butyougoalongwiththeJews,ofwhomtheprophetsaid:"Whoisblindbutmychildren,ordeafbutthosewholorditoverthem?" (8)Andagainstwhomdidtheyshowtheirwantofsenseandfeeling?Wasitnotagainsttheapostles,theprophets,andtheirteachers?WhymustImention teachersandprophetswhentheyslaughteredtheirownchildren?Fortheydidsacrificetheirsonsanddaughterstodemons.Whentheyignoredthevoiceof nature,weretheygoingtoobservethefestivaldays?Tellmethis.Didtheynottramplekinshipunderfoot,didtheynotforgettheirchildren,didtheynot forgettheveryGodwhocreatedthem?Mosessaid:"YouhaveforsakentheGodthatbegotyou,andhaveforgottentheGodthatnurturedyou."Werethey goingtokeepthefestivalsaftertheyhadforsakenGod?Whocouldsaythat? (9)ChristdidkeepthePaschwiththem.YethedidnotdosowiththeideathatweshouldkeepthePaschwiththem.Hedidsothathemightbringthe realitytowhatforeshadowedthereality.Healsosubmittedtocircumcision,kepttheSabbath,observedthefestivaldays,andatetheunleavenedbread.But HedidallthesethingsinJerusalem.However,wearesubjecttononeofthesethings,andonthisPaulspokeoutloudandclear:"Ifyoubecircumcised, Christshallbeofnoadvantagetoyou."Andagain,speakingofthefeastofunleavenedbread,hesaid:"Thereforeletuskeepfestival,notwiththeoldleaven, notwiththeleavenofmaliceandwickedness,butwiththeunleavenedbreadofsincerityandtruth."Forourunleavenedbreadisnotamixedflourbutan uncorruptedandvirtuouswayoflife. IV WhydidChristkeepthePaschatthattime?TheoldPaschwasatypeofthePaschtocome,andtherealityhadtosupplantthetype.SoChristfirstshowed theforeshadowingandthenbroughttherealitytothebanquettable.Oncetherealityhascome,thetypewhichforeshadoweditishenceforthlostinitsown shadowandnolongerfillstheneed.Sodonotkeeppleadingthisexcuse,butshowmethatChristdidcommandustoobservetheoldPasch.Iamshowing youquitetheopposite.IamshowingyouthatChristnotonlydidnotcommandustokeepthefestivaldaysbutevenfreedusfromtheobligationtodoso. (2)HearwhatPaulhadtosay.AndwhenIspeakofPaul,ImeanChristforitisChristwhomovedPaul'ssoultospeak.What,then,didPaulsay?"Youare observingdays,andmonths,andseasons,andyears.Ifearforyou,lestperhapsIhavelaboredinvainamongyou."Andagain:"Asoftenasyoushalleatthis breadanddrinkthiscup,youshallproclaimthedeathoftheLord."Whenhesaid:"Asoftenas,"Paulgavetherightandpowertodecidethistothosewho approachthemysteries,andfreedthemfromanyobligationtoobservethefestivaldays. (3)NowourPaschandLentarenotoneandthesamething:thePaschisonething,Lentanother.LentcomesonceeachyearourPaschiscelebratedthree timeseachweek,sometimesevenfourtimes,orratherasoftenaswewish.ForthePaschisnotafastbuttheofferingandsacrificewhichiscelebratedat eachreligionsserviceThatyoumayknowthatthisistrue,listentoPaulwhenhesays:"ForChrist,ourPassover,hasbeensacrificed,"andagain:"Asoftenas youshalleatthisbreadanddrinkthecup,youproclaimthedeathoftheLord. (4)Soasoftenasyouapproachthesacrificialbanquetwithacleanconscience,youcelebratethePasch.Youcelebrateitnotwhenyoufastbutwhenyou shareinthatsacrifice."Forasoftenasyoushalleatthisbreadanddrinkthiscup,youproclaimthedeathoftheLord."OurPaschistheproclamationofthe Lord'sdeath.Thesacrificewhichweoffertoday,thatwhichwasofferedyesterday,andeachday'ssacrificeisalikeandthesameasthesacrificeofferedon thatSabbathdaythesacrificeofferedonthatSabbathisnomoresolemnthantoday's,noristoday'soflessvaluethanthattheyareoneandthesame,alike filledwithaweandsalvation. (5)Why,then,dowefastforfortydays?Inthepast,andespeciallyatthetimewhenChristentrustedtousthesesacredmysteries,manyamanapproached thesacrificialbanquetwithoutthoughtorpreparation.SincetheFathersrealizedthatitwasharmfulforapersontoapproachthemysteriesinthisheedless fashion,theycametogetherandmarkedoutfortydaysforpeopletofast,pray,andgathertogethertohearthewordofGod.Theirpurposewasthatwe mightallscrupulouslypurifyourselvesduringtiffstimebyourprayers.almsgiving,fasting,vigilstears,confessions,andalltheotherpiouspractices.sothatwe

mightallscrupulouslypurifyourselvesduringtiffstimebyourprayers.almsgiving,fasting,vigilstears,confessions,andalltheotherpiouspractices.sothatwe mightapproachthemysterieswithourconsciencesmadeascleanaswecouldmakethem. (6)AndtheydidwellwhentheycametoouraidandestablishedforusthepracticeofthisLentenfast.Thisisclearbecause,ifwekeepshoutingand proclaimingafastthewholeyearthrough,noonelistenstowhatwesay.ButassoonastheseasonofLentdrawsnear,eventhelaziestofmenrouses himself,eventhoughnoonecounselsoradviseshim.Why?HegetsadviceandcounselfromtheseasonofLent. (7)SoifaJeworpaganaskyouwhyyouarefasting,donottellhimthatitisbecauseofthePaschorbecauseofthemysteryofthecross.Ifyoutellhim that,yougivehimanamplegripuponyou.Tellhimwefastbecauseofoursinsandbecausewearegoingtoapproachthemysteries.ThePaschisnota reasonforfastingorgriefitisareasonforcheerfulnessandjoy.Thecrosshastakenawaysinitwasanexpiationfortheworld.areconciliationforthe ancientenmity.Itopenedthegatesofheaven,changedthosewhohatedintofriendsittookourhumannature,ledituptoheaven,andseateditattheright handofGod'sthrone.Anditbroughttoustenthousandotherblessings. (8)Thereisnoneed,then,togrieveorbedowncast:wemustrejoiceandgloryinallthesethings.ThisiswhyPaulsaid:"ButGodforbidthatIshouldglory saveinthecrossofourLordJesusChrist."Andagain:"ButGodcommendshischaritytowardsus,becausewhenasyetweweresinners,Christdiedfor us."Johnputitlikethis:"Godsolovedtheworld.Tellme,howdidGodlovetheworld?JohnpassedoveralltheothersignsofGod'sloveandputthecross infirstplace.Forafterhesaid:"Godsolovedtheworld,"hesaid:"ThathegavehisonlybegottenSon,"thathebecrucified,"thatthosewhobelieveinhim maynotperishbutmayhavelifeeverlasting."If,then,thecrossisthebasisandboastoflove,letusnotsaythatitisacauseforgrief.Heavenforbidthatwe grievebecauseofthecross.Wegrieveforoursins,andthisiswhywefast. V Althoughthecatechumenkeepsthefasteachyear,liedoesnotcelebratethePaschsincehedoesnotshareinthesacrifice.Buteventhoughamanisnot observingtheLentenfast,hedoescelebratethePaschaslongasliecomestothealtarwithacleanconscienceandsharesinthesacrificewhetheritbe today,tomorrow,oranydaywhatsoever.Thebesttimetoapproachthemysteriesisdeterminedbythepurityofaman'sconscienceandnotbyhis observanceofsuitableseasons. (2)Yetwedojusttheopposite.Wefailtocleanseourconscienceand,eventhoughweareburdenedwithtenthousandsins,weconsiderthatwehave celebratedthePaschaslongasweapproachthemysteriesonthatfeastday.Butthisiscertainlynotthecase.Ifyouapproachthealtarontheverydayof theSabbathandyourconsciencebebad,youfailtoshareinthemysteriesandyouleavewithoutcelebratingthePasch.Butifyouwashawayyoursinsand shareinthemysteriestoday,youdocelebratethePaschinpreciselytheproperway. (3)Thereforeyoumustsafeguardthisexactnessandvigorofspirit,notintheobservanceofthepropertimesbutinyourapproachtothealtar.Nowyou wouldelecttoendureallthingsratherthanchangethispractice.So,too,youmustdisdainitandchoosetodoorsufferanythingsoasnottoapproachthe mysterieswhenyouareburdenedwithsins. (4)BesurethatGodtakesnoaccountofsuchobservanceofspecialseasons.Hearhimashepassesjudgmentonthoseathisrighthand:"Yousawme hungryandgavemetoeatyousawmethirstyandgavemetodrinkyousawmenakedandyoucoveredme."Buthechargedwithquitedifferentconduct thoseonhislefthand.AtanothertimehebroughtforwardanothermaninaparableandcastigatedhimbecauseHerememberedtheevilthemanhaddone. Forhesaid:"Youwickedservant,Iforgaveyouallthedebt.Shouldnotyouthenhavehadcompassionalsoonyourfellowservant,evenasIhad compassiononyou?"Again,whenthevirginshadnooilintheirlamps,helockedthemoutofthebridechamber.Andhecastoutanothermanwhocameinto thefeastwithoutaweddinggarmentbecausethismanwasgarbedinfilthyclothesandwaswearingthecloakofhisfornicationanduncleanness,Butnoone waseverpunishedoraccusedbecauseheobservedthePaschinthisorthatmonth. (5)Butwhyspeakofourselvessincewehavebeensetfreefromallsuchnecessity?Wearecitizensofacityaboveinheaven,wheretherearenomonths,no sun,nomoon,nocircleofseasons.Ifyouwishtogiveexactattentiontothematter,youwillseethat,evenamongtheJews,littleaccountwasmadeofthe seasonofthePasch,buttheycaredgreatlyabouttheplaceforit,namely,Jerusalem.SomemencameuptoMosesandsaidtohim:"Weareuncleanthrough touchingthedeadbodyofaman.HowshallweavoidfailingilltheLord'soffering?"Hesaidtothem:"WaithereandletmereportittoGod."Then,afterhe reportedit,hebroughtbackthelawwhichsays:"Ifanymanbeuncleanthroughtouchingadeadbody,orbeafaronajourneyandbeunabletokeepthe Paschinthefirstmonth,heshallkeepitinthesecond." (6)AndsoisnottheobservanceofthetimeannulledamongtheJewssothatthePaschmaybeobservedinJerusalem?Willyounotshowgreaterconcern fortheharmonyoftheChurchthanfortheseason?Sothatyoumayseemtobeobservingtheproperdays,willyououtragethecommonMotherofusall andwillyoucutasundertheHolySynod?Howcouldyoudeservepardonwhenyouchoosetocommitsinssoenormousfornogoodreason? (7)ButwhymustIspeakoftheJews?Nomatterhoweagerlyandearnestlywewishit,itisnotaltogetherpossibleforustoobservethatdayonwhichHe wascrucified.Thiswillmakeitclear.LetussupposetheJewshadnotsinned,thattheywerenothardofheart,norsenseless,norindifferent,nordespisers supposetheyhadnotfallenfromtheirancestralwayoflifebutwerestillcarefullyobservingit.Evenifthiswasthecase,wecouldnot,byfollowingintheir footsteps,putourfingerontheverydayonwhichHewascrucifiedandfulfilledthePasch.Letmetellhowthisisthecase.WhenHewascrucifieditwasthe firstdayofthefeastofunleavenedbreadandthedayofpreparation. (8)Butitisnotpossibleforbothofthesetofallalwaysonthesameday.ThisyearthefirstdayofthefeastofunleavenedbreadfallsonSunday,andthefast muststilllastforawholeweekAccordingtothis,afterPassiontide,afterthecrossandresurrectionhavecomeandgone,wearestillfasting.Andithasoften happenedthat,afterthecrossandresurrection,ourfastisstillbeingobservedbecausetheweekisnotyetover.Thisiswhynoobservanceoftheexacttime ispossible. VI Letusnotquarrel,letusnotsay:"Afterfastingthesemanyyears,amItochangenow?"Changeforthatveryreason.Sinceyouhavebeensolongsevered fromtheChurch,comebacknowtoyourMother.Noonesays:"AfterIlivedasherenemysolongatime,Iamashamedtobereconcilednow."Youhave groundsforshameifyoudonotchangeforthebetterbutpersistinyouruntimelycontentiousness.ThatiswhatdestroyedtheJews.Whiletheyalwayskept

lookingfortheoldcustomsandlife,thesewerestrippedfromthemandtheyturnedtoimpiety. (2)ButwhydoIspeakoffastingandtheobservanceofspecialdays?PaulcontinuedtoobservetheLawandtoenduremanyatoilhepatientlyputupwith manyjourneysandhardshipshesurpassedallhiscontemporariesintheexactobservanceofthatwayoflife.Butafterheachievedtheheightsofthatlifeand cametorealizethathewasdoingallthisforhisownhurtanddestruction,heimmediatelychanged.Hedidnotsaytohimself:"Whatisthis?AmItolosethe rewardforthisgreatzealofmine?AmItowasteallthiswork?"Ratherhewasthequickertochangefortheveryreasonthathemightcontinuetosufferthat loss.HescornedjustificationbytheLawsothathemightreceivethejustificationoffaith.Andsoheloudlyproclaimed:"ThethingsthatweregaintomeI havecountedaslossforChrist.AndChristsaid:"Ifyouofferyourgiftatthealtar,andthereyourememberthatyourbrotherhasanythingagainstyou,go firstandbereconciledtoyourbrotherandthencomeandofferyourgift." (3)Whatdoyoumean?Ifyourbrotherhassomethingagainstyou,Christdoesnotpermityoutoofferyoursacrificeuntilyouarereconciledtoyourbrother. WhenyouhavethewholeChurchandsomanyFathersagainstyou,doyouhavethehardihoodtodaretoapproachthedivinemysteriesbeforeyouput asidethatunseemlyenmity?Sincethisisthewayyoufeel,howcouldyoucelebratethePasch? (4)Isaythisnotonlytothosewhoaresickbutalsotoyouwhoareingoodhealth.Whenyouwhoarewellseehowmanyaresick,youwillshowthem greatcareandkindness,youwillpickthemout,gatherthemtogether,andbringthembacktotheirMother.Whatevertheysayagainstus,howeverthey jumpatus,nomatterwhatelsetheydotous,wemustnotgrowwearyandstopuntilwewinthemback.Forthereisnothingcomparabletopeaceand harmony. (5)Itisforthisreasonthat,whentheFatherentersthechurch,hedoesnotmounttothischairuntilhehasprayedforallofyouwhenherisesfromthischair, hedoesnotbeginhisinstructionuntilhehasfirstgiventhepeacetoall.Andwhenthepriestsaregoingtogivetheblessing,theyfirstprayforpeaceforyou andthenbegintheblessing. (6)Andwhenthedeaconbidsyoutoprayalltogether,healsoenjoinsyouinhisprayertoaskfortheAngelofPeace,andthateverythingwhichconcerns youbeblessedwithpeace.Ashedismissesyoufromtheassembly,hepetitions[peace]foryouandsays:"Goinpeace."Andwithoutthispeace,itis altogetherimpossibleforustosayordoanything.Forpeaceisournurseandmother.sheisverycarefultocherishusandfosterus.Iamnotspeakingof whatismerelycalledbythenameofpeace,norofthepeacewhichcomesfromsharingmealstogether,butofthepeacewhichaccordswithGod,thepeace whichcomesfromtheharmonysentbytheSpirit.ManyarenowtearingthispeaceasunderbydestroyingusandexaltingtheJews.Thesemenconsiderthe JewsasmoretrustworthyteachersthantheirownFatherstheybelievetheaccountofChrist'spassionanddeathwhichisgivenbythosewhoslewHim. Whatcouldbemoreunreasonablethanthis? (7)DoyounotseethattheirPassoveristhetype,whileourPaschisthetruth?Lookatthetremendousdifferencebetweenthem.ThePassoverprevented bodilydeath:whereasthePaschquelledGod'sangeragainstthewholeworldthePassoverofoldfreedtheJewsfromEgypt,whilethePaschhassetusfree fromidolatrythePassoverdrownedthePharaoh,butthePaschdrownedthedevilafterthePassovercamePalestine,butafterthePaschwillcomeheaven. (8)Why,then,doyousitbesidealampafterthesunhasappeared?Whydoyouwishtonourishyourselfonmilkwhensolidfoodisbeinggiventoyou?You werenourishedwithmilksothatyoumightnotremainsatisfiedwithmilk:thelampshoneforyouthatitmightguideyouandleadyoubythehandintothe lightofthesun.Nowthattheeraofmoreperfectthingshascome,letusnotrunbacktotheformertimes,letusnotobservethedaysandseasonsandyears: rather,letuseverywherebecarefultofollowtheChurchbypayingheedtocharityandpeacebeforeallthings. (9)SupposetheChurchweretobetrippedupandfall.Theaccuratecomputationofdateswouldnotsucceedinmakingherslipasmuchasthisdivisionand schismwoulddeservetheblame.ButImakenoaccountoftheexactdate,sinceGodmakesnoaccountofit,asIprovedwhenIdevotedmanydiscourses tothissubject.ButtheonethingIseekisthatwedoallthingsinpeaceandconcord.Ifwedoso,youwillnotstayhomeandgetdrunkwhilewearefasting withtherestofthepeople,andthepriestsareprayingtogetherforthewholeworld. (10)Notewellthatthisisofthedevil'sdoingandthatitisnotasinglesin,nortwo,northree,butfarmorethanthree.Itcutsyouofffromtheflock,itmakes youreadytoholdsomanyFathersinscorn,ithurlsyouintocontentiousness,itthrustsyouovertotheJews,andfurthermoreitmakesyouascandalbothto yourownfamilyandtostrangers.HowcanweblametheJewsforwaitingforyouintheirhouseswhenitisyouwhogorunningtothem? (11)Thesesinsarenottheonlyproblem.DuringthosedaysofthefastgreatharmcouldcometoyoufromyourfailuretotakeadvantageoftheScripture readings,thereligiousmeetingsinthechurch,theblessing,andtheprayerssaidincommon.Greatharmcouldcometoyouwhileyouandyourbad consciencearespendingtiffswholetimeinfearanddreadthat,likesomeforeignerorstranger,youmaybecaughtillyoursinfulact.Andduringallthistime, incommonwiththeChurch,youshouldbedischargingallyourreligiousdutiesinaspiritofconfidence,pleasure,goodcheer,andfullfreedom. (12)TheChurchdoesnotrecognizetheexactobservanceofdates.InthebeginningtheFathersdecidedtocometogetherfromwidelyseparatedplacesand tofluxtheEasterdatetheChurchpaidrespecttotheharmonyoftheirthinking.lovedtheironenessofmind,andacceptedthedatetheyenjoined.Myearlier remarkshaveprovedadequatelythatitisimpossibleforusoryouoranyothermantoarriveattheexactdateoftheLord'sday.Soletusstopfightingwith shadows,letusstophurtingourselvesinthebigthingswhileweareindulgingourrivalryoverthesmall. (13)Fastingattiffsorthattimeisnotamatterforblame.ButtorendasundertheChurch,tobereadyforrivalry,tocreatedissension,toroboneself continuouslyofthebenefitsofreligiousmeetingstheseareunpardonable,thesedodemandanaccounting,thesedodeserveseriouspunishment. (14)Icouldhavesaidmuchmorethanthis.WhatIhavesaidisenoughforthosewhoheedmethosewhofailtoheedmywordswillnotbehelpedevenifI shouldhavemuchmoretosay.Soletmefinishmydiscourseatthispoint.andletusallpraytogetherthatourbrotherscomebacktous.Letuspraythatthey clingfondlytopeaceandstandapartfromuntimelyrivalry.Letuspraythattheyscornthissluggishspiritoftheirsandfindagreatandloftyunderstanding.Let uspraythattheybesetfreefromthisobservanceofdayssothatallofus,withoneheartandwithonevoice,maygiveglorytoGodandtheFatherofour LordJesusChrist,towhombegloryandpowernowandforever,worldwithoutend.Amen.

HOMILYIV

AgainsttheJewsandthetrumpetsoftheirPasch DeliveredatAntiochintheGreatChurch AGAINTHEJEWS,themostmiserableandwretchedofallmen,aregoingtofast,andagainwemustmakesecuretheflockofChrist.Aslongasnowild beastdisturbstheflock,shepherds,astheystretchoutunderanoakorpinetreeandplaytheirflutes,lettheirsheepgoofftograzewithfullfreedom.But whentheshepherdsfeelthatthewolveswillraid,theyarequicktothrowdownthefluteandpickuptheirslingshotstheycastasidethepipeofreedsand armthemselveswithclubsandstones.Theytaketheirstandinfrontoftheflock,raisealoudandpiercingshout,andoftentimesthesoundoftheirshout drivesthewolfawaybeforehestrikes. (2)I,too,inthepast,frolickedaboutinexplicatingtheScriptures,asifIweresportinginsomemeadowItooknopartinpolemicsbecausetherewasno onecausingmeconcern.ButtodaytheJews,whoaremoredangerousthananywolves,arebentonsurroundingmysheepsoImustsparwiththemand fightwiththemsothatnosheepofminemayfallvictimtothosewolves. (3)Thatfastwillnotbeuponusfortendaysormore.ButdonotbesurprisedthatfromtodayonIamtakingupmytoolsandbuildingafencearoundyour souls.Thisiswhatthehardworkingfarmerdoes.Whenhehasarushingstreamnearbywhichmaywashawaythefieldshehastilled,hedoesnotwaitfor winter.Longbeforehandhefencesinthebanks,buildstipdikes,digsditches,andmakeseverypreparationagainsttheflood.Whilethestreamrunsquietly andislowinitsbed,itisasimplermattertorestrainitwhenithasbecomeswollenandissweptalongwithaviolentrushofwaters,itisnolongersosimple toopposetheflood.Andsoitisthatlongbeforehandthefarmeranticipatesthesurgeofthetorrentandcontrivesbyeverymeanstokeephisfieldssecurein everyway. (4)Aswellasfarmers,everysoldier,sailor,andreapermakesitapracticetoprepareahead.Beforethehourofbattle,thesoldiercleansoffhisbreastplate, examineshisshield,makesreadythebridleandbit,feedsandcaresforhishorse,andseestoitthatheiswellpreparedineveryway.Beforethesailor launcheshisshipintotheharbor'swaters,hepreparesthekeel,repairsthesides,hewsandshapestheoars,stitchestogetherthesails,andmakesreadyall theotherequipmentofhisship.Manydaysbeforetheharvest,thereapersharpenshissickle.getsreadythethreshingfloor,hisoxen,hiswagon,and everythingelsewhichmayhelphimintheharvest.Indeedyou