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Back to Medieval Source Book | ORB Main Page | Links to Other Medieval Sites | Medieval Sourcebook: Saint John Chrysostom (c.347407) : Eight Homilies Against the Jews l Notes on reaction to the posting of this text l Homily 1 l Homily 2 l Homily 3 l Homily 4 l Homily 5 l Homily 6 l Homily 7 [etext added May 2002] l Homily 8 [etext added May 2002] Introduction John Chrysostom is considered a "doctor of the Church", and among the greatest of the Greek Fathers. He was bishop of Antioch at the time of these sermons, although he became archbishop of Constantinople in 398. He was admired for his eloquence and gifts in preaching. As an introduction to these sermon, here is the discussion by James Parkes. Bibliographical Hints To find out more about this subject see: John Chrysostom, Discourses against Judaizing Christians , translated by Paul W. Harkins. The Fathers of the Church ; v. 68 (Washington : Catholic University of America Press, 1979) This is apparently the most up to date translation, and should be used by anyone wanting to comment on these texts in written work. Grissom, Fred Allen, Chrysostom and the Jews : studies in JewishChristian relations in fourthcentury Antioch , Thesis (Ph. D.)Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1979. Meeks, Wayne A. and Robert L. Wilken, Jews and Christians in Antioch in the first four centuries of the common era, Scholars Press for the Society of Biblical Literature, c1978. Wilken, Robert Louis, John Chrysostom and the Jews : rhetoric and reality in the late fourth century (Berkeley : University of California Press, 1983) CHRYSOSTOM AND THE JEWS OF ANTIOCH, pp. 163166 from James Parkes: The Conflict of the Church and the Synagogue: A Study in the Origins of Antisemitism, (New York: JPS, 1934) While in their writings Hilary and Eusebius introduced the pagan world to this strange version of Jewish history, Chrysostom expressed similar theories with much greater violence from his pulpit at Antioch. In eight sermons which he delivered in 387 he speaks with a bitterness and lack of restraint unusual even in that place and century {PG Vol 97). If it were not for the exegetical background which has already been shown, it would be impossible to explain, let alone excuse, his tone. Christianity was no longer in any danger. He himself had not, like Athanasius, ever known any persecution from the Jews, and the period of trial under Julian had been very short. Even had they been a menace in old times, the rich and powerful Jewish community of Antioch was now hemmed in, like every other, by numerous imperial edicts issued under Christian inspiration. Moreover, Chrysostom was a man whose character excited the admiration of his contemporaries. If he was hated by politicians for his unswerving firmness, he was loved by the multitudes, and his commentaries on the gospels are still read and studied in the Orthodox Church because of their deep spiritual beauty. Such was the man who in eight sermons covering more than a hundred pages of closely printed text, has left us the most complete monument of the public expression of the Christian attitude to the Jews in the century of the victory of the Church. In these discourses there is no sneer too mean, no gibe too bitter for him to fling at the Jewish people. No text is too remote to be able to be twisted to their confusion, no argument is too casuistical, no blasphemy too startling for him to employ; and, most astonishing of all, at the end he turns to the Christians, and in words full of sympathy and toleration he urges them not to be too hard on those who have erred in following Jewish practices or in visiting Jewish synagogues. Dealing with the Christians, no text which urges forgiveness is forgotten: dealing with the Jews only one verse of the New Testament is omitted: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do'. The only explanation of his bitterness contained in the sermons themselves is the too close fellowship between Jews and Christians in Antioch. There is no single suggestion that the Jews were immoral or vicious; no suggestion that Christians were actually corrupted by the contact, either in their morals or their orthodoxy. Only one contemporary event is referred to at all, apart from general denunciations of the visiting of the synagogue at times of Jewish feast or fast. This was the case of a Christian woman who was taken into a Jewish house to take an oath in a business affair, because the Christian with whom she had to deal believed that an oath taken in the Jewish manner was more binding than any other. What the actual affair was we are not told. To Chrysostom's eyes the

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MedievalSourcebook: SaintJohnChrysostom(c.347407): EightHomiliesAgainsttheJewsl

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

l l l l l l l l

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


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