Expositions on the Book of Psalms 102
102.1 Psalm CII PL 36, 1316
1. Behold, one poor man prayeth, and prayeth not in silence. We may therefore hear him, and see who he is: whether it be not perchance He, of whom the Apostle saith, “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” If it is He, then, how is He poor? For in what sense He is rich, who seeth not? What then is richer than He, by whom riches were made, even those which are not true riches? For through Him we have even these riches, ability, memory, character, health of body, the senses, and the conformation of our limbs: for when these are safe, even the poor are rich. Through Him also are those greater riches, faith, piety, justice, charity, chastity, good conduct: for no man hath these, except through Him who justifieth the ungodly.…Behold, how rich! In one so rich, how are we to recognise these words? “I have eaten ashes as it were bread: and mingled my drink with weeping.” Have these so great riches come to this? The former state is a very high one, this is a very lowly one.…Yet still examine whether this poor man be He; since, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” Reflect also upon these words: “I am Thy servant, and the Son of Thine handmaid.” Observe, this handmaid, chaste, a virgin, and a mother: for there He received our poverty, when He was clothed in the form of a servant, emptying Himself; lest thou shouldest dread His riches, and in thy beggarly state shouldest not dare approach Him. There, I say, He put on the form of a servant, there He was clothed with our poverty; there He made Himself poor, and us rich. We are now drawing near to understand these things of Him: nevertheless we may not as yet rashly pronounce.…
[«vers.» 1.] In omni munere Domini Dei nostri, in omni ejus consolatione, in omni correptione, in gratia quam donare dignatus est, in indulgentia qua nobis non hoc reddidit quod debebat, in omnibus operibus ejus, benedicat anima nostra Dominum. Hoc enim cantavimus; inde incipit Psalmus, de quo loquemur, donante ipso, quod possumus, quem nostra anima benedicit. Unusquisque nostrum excitet et exhortetur animam suam, et dicat ei: «Benedic, anima mea, Dominum.» Et omnes nos, et qui ubique sunt fratres in Christo, unus homo, cujus caput in coelo est, exhortetur ipse unus homo animam suam, et dicat ei: «Benedic, anima mea, Dominum.» Obaudit, obtemperat, facit hoc, persuadetur ei, non ex donis nostris, sed ex illius quem benedicit anima nostra. Suscepit enim psalmus iste ostendere nobis quare benedicat anima nostra Dominum, quasi ei respondisset anima sua: Quare mihi dicis, Benedic Dominum? Audiamus ergo, audiat ipsa anima nostra, consideret omnia quibus excitetur, ne pigra sit in benedictione Domini; et videat an justum sit quod ei dicitur, «Benedic, anima mea, Dominum:» videat si debet aliud benedicere praeter Dominum. «Benedic,» inquit, «anima mea, Dominum.»
102.2 PL 36, 1316
2. Let him add poverty then to poverty: let Him transfigure unto Himself our humble body: let Him be our Head, we His limbs, let there be two in one flesh.…For He hath deigned to hold even us as His limbs. The penitent also are among His limbs. For they are not shut out, nor separated from His Church: nor would He make the Church His spouse, unless by words like these: “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Let us then hear what the head and the body prayeth, the bridegroom and bride, Christ and the Church, both one Person; but the Word and the flesh are not both one thing; the Father and the Word are both one thing; Christ and the Church are both one Person, one perfect man in the form of His own fulness.…Let us hear therefore Christ, poor within us and with us, and for our sakes. For the title itself indicates the poor one. Lastly, remember that I conjectured who that poor one was: let us hear His prayer, and recognise His Person; and mistake not, when thou shalt have heard anything that cannot apply to His Head; it was for this reason that I have prefaced as I have, that whatever thou shalt hear of this description, thou mayest understand as sounding from the weakness of the body, and recognise the voice of the members in the head. The title is, “A Prayer of the afflicted, when he was tormented, and poured out his prayer before the Lord.” It is the same poor one who elsewhere saith: “From the ends of the earth will I call upon Thee, when my heart is in heaviness.” He is afflicted because He is also Christ; who in the Prophet’s words calleth Himself both Bridegroom and Bride: “He hath bound on me the diadem as on a bridegroom, and as a bride hath adorned me with an ornament.” He called Himself Bridegroom, He called Himself Bride; wherefore this, unless Bridegroom applieth to the Head, Bride to the body? They are one voice then, because they are one flesh. Let us hear, and recognise ourselves in these words; and if we see that we are without, let us labour to be there.
Repetit hoc, et expressius dicit quod dixerat, «Benedic, anima mea, Dominum: et omnia interiora mea, nomen sanctum ejus.» Puto quia non ad interiora corporis loquitur; puto eum non hoc dicere, ut pulmo noster et jecur, et si qua sunt intestina carnis, erumpant in vocem benedictionis Domini. Est quidem pulmo pectoris nostri quasi follis quidam anhelans spiritum reciprocum, qui spiritus concepti aeris in vocem et sonum exprimitur, cum verba digerimus; nec potest aliquid vocis sonare ab ore nostro, nisi quod pulmo expressus emiserit: sed non hinc agitur; hoc totum ad aures hominum. Habet aures Deus, habet et sonum cor. Interiora sua alloquitur homo, ut benedicant Dominum, et dicit eis: Omnia interiora mea nomen sanctum ejus benedicite. Quaeris quae sunt interiora tua? Ipsa anima tua. Quod ergo ait, «Benedic, anima mea, Dominum;» hoc ait, «omnia interiora mea, nomen sanctum ejus:» subauditur enim, Benedicite. Clama voce, si est homo qui audiat: sile voce, quando non est qui audiat; interiora tua nunquam deest qui audiat. Itaque sonabat jamdudum benedictio de ore nostro, et haec ipsa verba cantabamus: «Benedic, anima mea, Dominum; et omnia interiora» «mea, nomen sanctum ejus.» Quantum satis fuit tempori cantavimus, et siluimus: numquid interiora nostra silere debent a benedictione Domini? Alternet pro tempore sonus vocum, perpetua sit vox interiorum. Cum convenis ad ecclesiam hymnum dicere, sonat vox tua laudes Dei: Dixisti quantum potuisti, discessisti; sonet anima tua laudes Dei. Negotium agis; laudet Deum anima tua. Cibum capis; vide quid ait Apostolus: «Sive manducatis, sive bibitis, omnia in gloriam Dei facite» . Audeo dicere: cum dormis, benedicat anima tua Dominum. Non te excitet cogitatio flagitii, non te excitet dispositio furti, non te excitet condicta forte corruptio. Innocentia tua etiam in dormiente vox est animae tuae. «Benedic, anima mea, Dominum; et omnia interiora mea, nomen sanctum ejus.»
102.3 PL 36, 1317
3. “Hear my prayer, O Lord: and let my crying come unto Thee” (ver. 1). “Hear my prayer, O Lord,” is the same as, “Let my crying come unto Thee:” the feeling of the suppliant is shown by the repetition. “Turn not Thy face away from me.” When did God turn away His Face from His Son? when did the Father turn away His Face from Christ? But for the sake of the poverty of my members, “Turn not away Thy face from me: whatsoever day I am troubled, incline Thine ear unto me” (ver. 2).…Thou art in trouble this day, I am in trouble; another is in trouble to-morrow, I am in trouble; after this generation other descendants, who succeed your descendants, are in trouble, I am in trouble; down to the end of the world, whoever are in trouble in My body, I am in trouble.…Peter prayed, Paul prayed, the rest of the Apostles prayed; the faithful prayed in those times, the faithful prayed in the following times, the faithful prayed in the times of the Martyrs, the faithful pray in our times, the faithful will pray in the times of our descendants. “Right soon:” for I now ask that which Thou art willing to grant. I ask not earthly things, as an earthly man; but redeemed at last from my former captivity, I long for the kingdom of heaven; “Hear me right soon:” for it is only to such a longing that Thou hast said, “Even while Thou art speaking, I will say, Here I am.” Wherefore dost thou call? in what tribulation? in what want? O poor one, before the gate of God all-rich, in what longing dost thou beg? from what destitution dost thou ask relief? from what want dost thou knock, that it may be opened unto thee?
[«vers. 2.] Benedic, anima mea, Dominum, et noli oblivisci omnes retributiones ejus. Benedic,» inquit, «anima mea Dominum.» Quid est anima tua? Omnia interiora tua. «Benedic, anima mea, Dominum.» Repetitio ad exhortationem valet. Ut autem benedicas semper Dominum. «Noli oblivisci omnes retributiones ejus.» Si oblivisceris, tacebis. Non autem poterunt ante oculos tuos esse retributiones Domini, nisi ante oculos tuos fuerint peccata tua. Non sit ante oculos tuos delectatio praeteriti peccati, sed sit ante oculos tuos damnatio peccati: damnatio a te, remissio a Deo. Haec enim retribuit Dominus, ut possis dicere: «Quid retribuam Domino, pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi» ? Hoc enim considerantes martyres, quorum etiam memoriam hodie celebramus, et omnes omnino sancti qui vitam istam contempserunt, et sicut audistis in Epistola Joannis, animas suas pro fratribus posuerunt , quae est perfectio charitatis, dicente Domino, «Majorem charitatem nemo habet, quam ut animam suam ponat pro amicis suis» : hoc ergo considerantes sancti martyres, contempserunt animas suas hic, ut ibi eas invenirent, sequentes verba Domini dicentis, «Qui amat animam suam, perdet eam; et qui perdiderit eam propter me, in vitam aeternam inveniet eam» . Voluerunt enim retribuere: qui? et quid? et cui? Homines ministerium suum usque ad mortem Deo retribuerunt. Quid, quod ille non donaverit? Quid dederunt, quod non acceperint? Retribuit ergo ille vere, qui solus donat: sed non retribuit peccatis nostris; nam retributiones nobis aliae debebantur, et aliae redditae sunt. «Noli,» inquit, «oblivisci omnes retributiones ejus:» non tributiones, sed «retributiones.» Aliud enim debebatur, et redditum est quod non debebatur. Unde et ille: «Quid retribuam Domino, pro omnibus,» inquit, «quae retribuit mihi» ? Non ait, quae tribuit mihi; sed, «quae retribuit mihi.» Retribuisti tu mala pro bonis; retribuit ipse bona pro malis. Quomodo retribuisti tu, o homo, Deo mala pro bonis? Qui prius fuisti blasphemus, et persecutor, et injuriosus , retribuisti blasphemias. Pro quibus bonis? Primo, quia es: sed est et lapis. Deinde, quia vivis: sed vivit et pecus. Quid retribues Domino, pro eo quod super omnia pecora et super omnia volatilia fecit te ad imaginem et similitudinem suam ? Noli quaerere quid ei retribuas: similitudinem ipsius retribue illi, non plus quaerit; nummum suum exigit . Tu autem pro gratiis agendis, pro humilitate, pro obsequio, pro cultu religioso, id est, pro his omnibus bonis quae debebas Deo tuo, pro bonis quae accepisti, quae dixi, retribuisti blasphemias. Quid ergo ille? Confitere, ignosco. Retribuo et ego, sed non quod tu retribuisti: tu retribuisti mala pro bonis; ego retribuo bona pro malis.
102.4 PL 36, 1318
4. “For my days are consumed away like smoke” (ver. 3). O days! if days: for where day is heard of, light is understood. “My days,” my times; wherefore, “like smoke,” unless from the puffing up of pride?…See smoke, like pride, ascending, swelling, vanishing: deservedly therefore failing, and not stedfast. “And my bones are scorched up as it were in an oven.” Both my bones, and my strength, not without tribulation, not without burning. The bones of the body of Christ, the strength of His body, is it anywhere greater than in the Holy Apostles? And yet see that the bones are scorched. “Who is offended, and I burn not?” They are brave, faithful, able interpreters and preachers of the word, living as they speak, speaking as they hear; they are clearly brave, yet all who suffer offences, are an oven to them. For there is love there, and more so in the bones. The bones are within all the flesh, and support all the flesh. But if any man suffer any offence, and endanger his soul; the bone is scorched in proportion as it loveth.…
Cogita ergo, anima, omnes retributiones Dei, cogitando omnia mala facta tua: quam multa enim mala facta tua, tam multae bonae retributiones ejus. Et quid illi offeres forte xeniorum? quid munerum? quid sacrificiorum? Quoniam non oblivisceris retributiones ejus, hoc sacrificio delectatur: «Benedic, anima, Dominum. Sacrificium laudis glorificabit me: immola Deo sacrificium laudis, et redde Altissimo vota tua» . Laudari se vult Deus; et hoc, ut tu proficias, non ut ille sublimetur. Non est omnino quod illi retribuere: et quod exigit, non sibi, sed tibi exigit; tibi proderit, tibi servatur. Non hoc a te amat, quod illum augeat, sed quod te ad illum perducat. Propterea quaerebant martyres, deficiebant quodammodo non inveniendo, et dicebant, «Quid retribuam Domino, pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi?» Et non invenerunt quid retribuerent, nisi, «Calicem salutaris accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo» . Quid retribues Domino? Cogitabas enim, et non inveniebas: «Calicem salutaris accipiam.» Quid? «calicem salutaris» nonne ipse Dominus dedit? De tuo aliquid retribue, si potes. Non, dixerim; ne feceris, noli de tuo retribuere; non vult Deus de tuo sibi retribui. Si de tuo retribuis, peccatum retribuis. Omnia enim quae habes, ab illo habes: tuum peccatum solum habes. Non vult sibi retribui de tuo, de suo vult. Quomodo agricolae, de terra quam seminavit, si segetem attuleris, de agricolae fructu retribuisti; si spinas, de tuo obtulisti. Veritatem retribue, in veritate Dominum lauda: si de tuo volueris, mentieris. Qui loquitur mendacium, de suo loquitur . Si qui loquitur mendacium, de suo loquitur; qui loquitur veritatem, de Dei loquitur. Quid est autem accipere calicem salutaris, nisi passiones Domini imitari? Hoc martyres fecerunt. Hoc superbientibus dixit, et sedes sublimes jam quaerentibus, et convallem plorationis devitantibus, qui volebant sedere, unus ad dexteram, alius ad sinistram. Quid ergo ait? «Potestis bibere calicem quem ego bibiturus sum» ? Jam ergo martyr paratus ad victimam sanctam dicit. «Calicem salutaris accipiam:» accipiam calicem Christi bibam passionem Domini. Cave ne deficias. Sed «nomen Domini invocabo.» Quid ergo defecerunt, Dominum non invocaverunt; de sua fortitudine praesumpserunt. Tu sic redde, ut te accepisse quod reddis memineris. Sic ergo benedicat anima tua Dominum, ut non obliviscatur omnes retributiones ejus.
102.5 PL 36, 1319
5. Look back to Adam, whence the human race sprung. For how but from him was misery propagated? whence but from him is this hereditary poverty? Let him then, who in his own body was at one time in despair, now that he is set in Christ’s body, say with hope, “My heart is smitten down, and withered like grass” (ver. 4). Deservedly, since all flesh is grass. But how did this happen unto thee? “Since I have forgotten to eat my bread.” For God had given His commandment for bread. For what is the bread of the soul? The serpent suggesting, and the woman transgressing, he touched the forbidden fruit, he forgot the commandment: his heart was smitten as it deserved, and withered like grass, since he forgot to eat his bread. Having forgotten to eat bread, he drinketh poison: his heart is smitten, and withered like grass.…Now eat that bread which thou hadst forgotten. But this very Bread hath come, in whose body thou mayest remember the voice of thy forgetfulness, and cry out in thy poverty, so that thou mayest receive riches. Now eat: for thou art in His body, who saith, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven.” Thou hadst forgotten to eat thy bread; but after His crucifixion, “all the ends of the earth shall be reminded, and be converted unto the Lord.” After forgetfulness, let remembrance come, let bread be eaten from heaven, that we may live; not manna, as they did eat, and died; that bread, of which it is said, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness.”
[«vers.» 3-5.] Audite omnes retributiones ejus. «Qui propitius fit omnibus iniquitatibus tuis, qui sanat omnes languores tuos. Qui redimit de corruptione vitam tuam, qui coronat te in miseratione et misericordia. Qui satiat in bonis desiderium tuum: renovabitur sicut aquilae juventus tua.» Ecce retributiones. Quid debebatur peccatori, nisi supplicium? quid debebatur blasphemo, nisi gehenna ignis ardentis? Non ipsa retribuit: ne expavescas, ne exhorrescas, ne sine amore timeas. Noli oblivisci omnes retributiones ejus bonas; et mutare jam, ne experiaris retributiones ejus: quid dicam? malas? Si justas, non malas. Ad te ergo malas; ad Deum autem nec haec quae pateris mala, mala sunt: si enim justa sunt, bona sunt; sed tibi patienti haec mala sunt. Non vis ut mala sint tibi, quae justa sunt Dei? Non sit mala in conspectu Dei iniquitas tua. Non enim cessavit vocare, aut vocatum neglexit instruere, aut instructum cessavit perficere, aut perfectum neglexit coronare. Quid dicis? Quia es peccator? Convertere, et accipe retributiones istas; «propitius fit omnibus iniquitatibus tuis.» Post remissionem peccatorum corpus infirmum geris: necesse est sint quaedam desideria carnalia quae te titillent, et quae tibi suggerant delectationes illicitas; de languore tuo veniunt. Adhuc enim infirmam carnem geris, nondum est absorpta mors in victoriam, nondum corruptibile hoc induit incorruptionem : adhuc quibusdam perturbationibus etiam ipsa anima quatitur post remissionem peccatorum; adhuc in periculis tentationum versatur, quibusdam suggestionibus delectatur, quibusdam non delectatur, et in eis quibus delectatur, aliquando quibusdam consentit, capitur. Languor est; «sanat» et «omnes languores tuos.» Sanabuntur omnes languores tui, noli timere. Magni sunt, inquies: sed major est medicus. Omnipotenti medico nullus languor insanabilis occurrit: tantum tu curari te sine, manus ejus ne repellas; novit quid agat. Non tantum delecteris cum fovet, sed etiam toleres cum secat: tolera medicinalem dolorem, futuram cogitans sanitatem. Videte, fratres mei, in istis languoribus corporis quanta homines tolerent, ut paucos dies victuri moriantur, et hos paucos dies incertos. Multi enim post tolerantiam magnorum dolorum, cum a medicis secarentur, aut inter manus medicorum mortui sunt, aut jam sani, irruente aliqua aegritudine, defuncti sunt. Si tam sibi propinquam mortem sperarent, illos immensos dolores susciperent tolerandos? Tu non toleras ad incertum: qui promisit sanitatem, non potest falli. Fallitur medicus aliquando, et promittit sanitatem de corpore humano. Quare fallitur? Quia non hoc curat quod fecit. Deus fecit corpus tuum, Deus fecit animam tuam; novit quemadmodum recreet quod creavit, novit quemadmodum reformet quod ipse formavit: tu tantum sub manibus medici esto; odit enim repellentem manus suas. Non fit hoc in medici hominis manibus. Ligari se volunt homines, et secari; daturi pro incerta sanitate certum dolorem, magnam mercedem. Deus te, quem fecit, et certus curat, et gratis. Ferto ergo manus ejus, o anima, quae benedicis eum, non obliviscens retributiones ejus; «sanat» enim «omnes languores tuos.»
102.6 PL 36, 1320
6. “For the voice of my groaning, the bones cleave unto my flesh” (ver. 5). For many groan, and I also groan; even for this I groan, because they groan for a wrong cause. That man hath lost a piece of money, he groaneth: he hath lost faith, he groaneth not: I weigh the money and the faith, and I find more cause for groaning for him who groaneth not as he ought, or doth not groan at all. He committeth fraud, and rejoiceth. With what gain, with what loss? He hath gained money, he hath lost righteousness. For the latter reason, he who knoweth how to groan, groaneth; he who is near the head, who righteously clingeth to Christ’s body, groaneth for this reason. But the carnal do not groan for this reason, and they cause themselves to be groaned for, because they do not groan for this reason; nor can we despise them, whether they groan not at all, or groan for the wrong cause. For we wish to correct them, we wish to amend them, we wish to reform them, and when we cannot, we groan; and when we groan, we are not separated from them.…
«Qui redimit de corruptione vitam tuam.» Inde sanat omnes languores tuos, quia redimit de corruptione vitam tuam. Ecce corpus quod corrumpitur, aggravat animam . Vitam ergo habet anima in corpore corruptibili. Qualem vitam? Onera patitur, pondera sustinet. Ad ipsum Deum cogitandum, sicut dignum est ab homine cogitari Deum, quanta impediunt, veluti interpellantia de necessitate corruptionis humanae? quanta revocant? quanta a sublimi intentione detorquent? quanta interpellant? quae turba phantasmatum? qui populi suggestionum? Totum hoc in corde humano, tanquam de vermibus corruptionis hujus scatet. Exaggeravimus morbum, laudemus et medicum. Non ergo te sanabit, qui fecit talem qualis non aegrotares, si legem sanitatis acceptam servare voluisses? Nonne tibi et disposuit et mandavit quid tangeres, quid non tangeres, ad retinendam salutem ? Noluisti audire ad retinendam, audi ad recipiendam. Languore tuo expertus es quam vera ille jussisset. Jam tandem aliquando homo quod non tenuit monitus, audiat vel expertus. Quae duritia est, quam nec experientia docet? Non ergo te sanabit qui talem fecerat ut nunquam aegrotares, si ejus praecepta servare voluisses? non te sanabit, qui fecit Angelos, et te refectum aequaturus est Angelis? non sanabit factum ad imaginem suam, qui fecit coelum et terram? Sanabit te; opus est ut sanari velis. Sanat omnino ille quemlibet languidum, sed non sanat invitum. Quid autem te beatius, quam ut tanquam in manu tua, sic habeas in voluntate sanitatem tuam? Si velles esse in aliquo sublimi honore in hac terra; ducatum, proconsulatum, praefecturam si concupisceres: numquid continuo posses ut velles? numquid voluntatem tuam potestas sequeretur? Multi ad ista volunt pervenire, et non possunt: sed si pervenirent, quid prodest honos aegrotis? Quis enim non aegrotat in hac vita? quis non languorem longum trahit? Nasci hic in corpore mortali, incipere aegrotare est. Quotidianis medicamentis fulciuntur indigentiae nostrae, quotidiana medicamenta sunt refectiones omnium indigentiarum. Fames nonne te occideret, nisi medicamentum ejus apponeres? sitis nonne te perimeret nisi eam tu bibendo, non penitus exstingueres, sed differres? Reditura est enim sitis paululum temperata Temperamus ergo istis fomentis aerumnam aegritudinis nostrae. Stando lassatus eras, sedendo reliceris; ipsum sedere medicina est lassitudinis: in ipsa medicina rursus lassaris; diu sedere non poteris. Quidquid est ubi fatigationi succurritur, alia fatigatio inchoatur. Quid ergo ista desideras languidus? Prius de salute tua cogita. Aliquando aegrotat homo in domo sua, in lecto suo, aegritudine manifestiore; quanquam et ista manifesta sit, quam nolunt homines intueri: tamen ea aegritudine, ad quam quaeruntur medici homines, aegrotat quisque in domo sua, anhelat febribus in lecto suo; velit forte cogitare de re familiari, aliquid jubere vel in domo, vel in fundo, aut disponere; statim cura suorum circumstrepente et murmurante revocatur a talibus curis, et dicitur illi, Dimitte ista, prius de salute tua cogita. Ergo hoc tibi dicitur: Omnis homo, si non aegrotas, alia cogita; si te aegrotantem languor ipse convincit, prius de salute tua cogita. Salus tua Christus est: Christum ergo cogita. Accipe calicem salutaris ejus, «Qui sanat omnes languores tuos:» hanc salutem si volueris, obtinebis. Honores et divitias cum requisieris, non continuo si volueris, habebis: hoc et pretiosius est, et sequitur voluntatem. «Qui sanat omnes languores tuos, qui redimit de corruptione vitam tuam.» Ibi sanabitur omnis languor tuus, cum corruptibile hoc induet incorruptionem. Redempta est enim vita tua de corruptione; jam securus esto: initus est bonae fidei contractus; nemo fallit redemptorem tuum, nemo circumvenit, nemo premit. Egit hic commercium, jam pretium solvit, sanguinem fudit. Sanguinem, inquam, fudit unicus Filius Dei pro nobis: o anima, erige te, tanti vales. «Redimit de corruptione vitam tuam.» Ostendit exemplo, quod promisit in praemio. Mortuus est propter delicta nostra, et resurrexit propter justificationem nostram . Sperent membra quod in capite demonstratum est. Non curabit membra sua, quorum caput levavit in coelum? Ergo «redimit de corruptione vitam tuam.»
102.7 PL 36, 1321
7. “I am become like a pelican in the wilderness, and like an owl among ruined walls” (ver. 6). Behold three birds and three places: the pelican, the owl, and the sparrow; and the three places are severally, the wilderness, the ruined walls, and the house-top. The pelican in the wilderness, the owl in the ruined walls, and the sparrow in the house-top. In the first place we must explain, what the pelican signifieth: since it is born in a region which maketh it unknown to us. It is born in lonely spots, especially those of the river Nile in Egypt. Whatever kind of bird it is, let us consider what the Psalm intended to say of it. “It dwelleth,” it saith, “in the wilderness.” Why enquire of its form, its limbs, its voice, its habits? As far as the Psalm telleth thee, it is a bird that dwelleth in solitude. The owl is a bird that loveth night. Parietinæ, or ruins, as we call them, are walls standing without roof, without inhabitants, these are the habitation of the owl. And then as to the house-top and the sparrows, ye are familiar with them. I find, therefore, some one of Christ’s body, a preacher of the word, sympathizing with the weak, seeking the gains of Christ, mindful of his Lord to come. Let us see these three things from the office of His steward. Hath such a man come among those who are not Christians? He is a pelican in the wilderness. Hath he come among those who were Christians, and have relapsed? He is an owl in the ruined walls; for he forsaketh not even the darkness of those who dwell in night, he wisheth to gain even these. Hath he come among such as are Christians dwelling in a house, not as if they believed not, or as if they had let go what they had believed, but walking lukewarmly in what they believe? The sparrow crieth unto them, not in the wilderness, because they are Christians; nor in the ruined walls, because they have not relapsed; but because they are within the roof; under the roof rather, because they are under the flesh. The sparrow above the flesh crieth out, husheth not up the commandments of God, nor becometh carnal, so that he be subject to the roof. “What ye hear in the ear, that preach ye on the housetops.” There are three birds and three places; and one man may represent the three birds, and three men may represent severally the three birds; and the three sorts of places, are three classes of men: yet the wilderness, the ruined walls, and the house-top, are but three classes of men.
«Qui coronat te in miseratione et misericordia.» Jam enim forte quasi arrogans esse coeperas, cum audires, «coronat te.» Ergo magnus sum, ergo luctatus sum. Cujus viribus? Tuis, sed ab illo subministratis. Nam luctaris, manifestum est; et ideo coronaberis, quia vinces: sed vide quis prior vicerit, vide quis te faciat etiam secundo victorem. «Ego,» inquit, «vici saeculum, gaudete» . Et unde gaudemus, si ille vicit saeculum? quasi nos vicerimus? Ita plane gaudeamus, quia nos vicimus. Qui in nobis victi sumus, in illo vicimus. Ergo coronat te, quia dona sua coronat, non merita tua. «Plus omnibus illis laboravi,» ait Apostolus: sed vide quid adjungit, «Non ego autem, sed gratia Dei mecum» . Et post labores omnes exspectat ipsam coronam, et dicit, «Bonum agonem certavi, cursum consummavi, fidem servavi: de caetero superest mihi corona justitiae, quam mihi reddet Dominus in illa die justus judex» . Quare? Quia «agonem certavi.» Quare? Quia «cursum consummavi.» Quare? Quia «fidem servavi.» Unde certasti? unde fidem servasti? «Non ego autem, sed gratia Dei mecum.» Ergo et quod coronaris, illius misericordia coronaris. Nusquam sis superbus; semper lauda Dominum, omnes retributiones ejus noli oblivisci. Retributio est, cum peccator et impius vocatus es, ut justificareris. Retributio est, cum erectus et gubernatus es ne caderes. Retributio est, cum tibi vires subministratae sunt, ut usque in finem perseverares. Retributio est, ut etiam caro ista tua qua premebaris, resurgat, et nec capitis tui capillus intereat. Retributio est, ut post resurrectionem coroneris. Retributio est, ut in aeternum Deum ipsum sine defectu laudes. Omnes retributiones ejus noli oblivisci, si vis ut benedicat anima tua Dominum, «qui coronat te in miseratione et misericordia.»
102.8 PL 36, 1322
8. …Let us not pass over what is said, or even read, of this bird, that is, the pelican; not rashly asserting anything, but yet not passing over what has been left to be read and uttered by those who have written it. Do ye so hear, that if it be true, it may agree; if false, it may not hold. These birds are said to slay their young with blows of their beaks, and for three days to mourn them when slain by themselves in the nest: after which they say the mother wounds herself deeply, and pours forth her blood over her young, bathed in which they recover life. This may be true, it may be false: yet if it be true, see how it agreeth with Him, who gave us life by His blood. It agreeth with Him in that the mother’s flesh recalleth to life her young with her blood; it agreeth well. For He calleth Himself a hen brooding over her young.…If, then, it be so truly, this bird doth closely resemble the flesh of Christ, by whose blood we have been called to life. But how may it agree with Christ, that the bird herself slays her own young? Doth not this agree with it? “I will slay, and I will make alive: I will wound, and I will heal.” Would the persecutor Saul have died, unless he were wounded from heaven; or would the preacher be raised up, unless by life given him from His blood? But let those who have written on the subject see to this; we ought not to allow our understanding of it to rest upon doubtful ground. Let us rather recognise this bird in the wilderness; as the Psalm expresseth it, “A pelican in the solitude.” I suppose that Christ born of a Virgin is here meant. He was born in loneliness, because He alone was thus born. After the nativity, we come to His Passion.…Born in the wilderness, because alone so born; suffering in the darkness of the Jews as it were in night, in their sin, as it were in ruins: what next? “I have watched:” and “am become even as it were a sparrow, that sitteth alone upon the house-top” (ver. 7). Thou hadst then slept amid the ruins, and hadst said, “I laid me down, and slept.” What meaneth, “I slept”? Because I chose, I slept: I slept for love of night: but, “I rose again,” followeth. Therefore “I watched,” is here said. But after He watched, what did He? He ascended into heaven, He became as a sparrow by flying; that is, by ascending; “alone on the house-top;” that is, in heaven. He is therefore as the pelican by birth, as the owl by dying, as the sparrow by ascending again: there in the wilderness, as one alone; here in the ruined walls, as one slain by those who could not stand in the building; and here again watching and flying for our sakes alone on the house-top, He there intercedeth in our behalf. For our Head is as the sparrow, His body as the turtle-dove. “For the sparrow hath found her an house.” What house? In heaven, where He doth mediate for us. “And the turtle-dove a nest,” the Church of God hath found a nest from the wood of His Cross, where “she may lay her young,” her children.
Et quid agam coronatus? Ecce adjuvabar cum luctarer, finito certamine coronabor; jam nulla residua erit inimica suggestio vel corruptio cum qua lucter. Semper enim in hac vita luctamur cum corruptione ista: sed quid scriptum est? «Novissima inimica destruetur mors.» Post destructionem mortis, nullum timebis inimicum: inde «absorpta est mors in victoriam» . Tunc ergo erit victoria, tunc corona. Post certamen ergo coronabor, post coronam quid agam? «Qui satiat in bonis desiderium tuum.» Modo enim audis bonum, et anhelas; audis bonum, et suspiras: et hoc ipsum quod forte peccas, eligendi bona aviditate falleris; et in eo reus detineris, quod bonum consilium Dei non audis, quid contemnendum et quid eligendum sit; quod forte negligis discere, si in eligendo bono fallebaris. Ubicumque peccas quasi bonum quaeris, quasi refectionem desideras. Bona sunt ista quae quaeris; sed mala tibi erunt, deserto illo a quo bona facta sunt. Bonum tuum quaere, o anima. Est enim bonum aliud alteri, et omnes creaturae habent quoddam bonum suum, integritatis suae, et perfectionis naturae suae: interest quid cuique rei imperfectae necessarium sit, ut perficiatur; quaere tuum bonum. «Nemo bonus nisi unus Deus» . Summum bonum, hoc est tuum bonum. Quid ergo deest cui summum bonum bonum est? Sunt enim et inferiora bona, quae aliis et aliis bona sunt. Pecori quid bonum est, fratres, nisi implere ventrem, carere indigentia, dormire, gestire, vivere, sanum esse, generare? Bonum illi est, et usque ad quemdam modum habet boni sui mensuram tributam, et concessam ab omnium rerum creatore Deo. Tale tu bonum quaeris? Dat et hoc Deus; sed noli solum quaerere. Cohaeres Christi, quid gaudes, quia socius es pecori? Erige spem tuam ad bonum bonorum omnium. Ipse erit bonum tuum, a quo tu in tuo genere factus es bonus, et omnia in suo genere facta sunt bona. Fecit enim Deus omnia bona valde. Ergo illud bonum quod Deus est, si dicamus valde bonum, jam et de creatura dictum est: «Fecit Deus omnia bona valde» . Quid ergo illud bonum de quo dictum est, «Nemo bonus nisi unus Deus?» dicimus quia bonum est valde? Recurrit nobis recordatio de omnibus creaturis, quia dictum est, «Fecit Deus omnia valde bona.» Quid ergo dicturi sumus? Deficimus in voce, sed non in affectu. Veniat in mentem recens illa tractatio Psalmi: explicare non possumus, jubilemus. Bonum est Deus. Quale bonum, quis dicat? Ecce non possumus dicere, et non permittimur tacere. Ergo si non possumus dicere, et prae gaudio non permittimur tacere; nec loquamur, nec taceamus. Quid ergo faciamus, non loquentes et non tacentes? Jubilemus. Jubilate Deo salutari nostro, «Jubilate Deo, omnis terra». Quid est, «Jubilate?» Efferte vocem ineffabilem gaudiorum vestrorum, et eructate in eum laetitias vestras. Et quid erit illa ructatio post saginam, si modo post modicas istas refectiones tantum afficitur anima nostra? quid erit, quando fiet post redemptionem ab omni corruptione, quod dictum est in isto psalmo, «Qui satiat in bonis desiderium tuum?»
102.9 PL 36, 1323
9. “Mine enemies revile me all day, and they that praised me are sworn together against me” (ver. 8). With their mouth they praised, in their heart they were laying snares for me. Hear their praise: “Master, we know that Thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man. Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not?” And whence this evil repute, except because I came to make sinners my members, that by repentance they may be in my body? Thence is all the calumny, thence the persecution. “Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? They that be whole need not a physician, but they that be sick.” Would that ye were aware of your sickness, that ye might seek a physician; ye would not slay Him, and through your infatuated pride perish in a false health.
Et quasi quaereres, Quando satiat? modo enim non satior; ad quodcumque me convertero, vilescit mihi adeptum, quamvis accenderit desideratum: cum omnia quae dum non habeo amo, cum habuero contemno, quod bonum me satiabit? Laus Dei. Et ipsa, cum corpus quod corrumpitur aggravat animam, et deprimit terrena inhabitatio sensum multa cogitantem, non impletur anima mea, non perficitur: aliae de corruptione delectationes indigentiarum detorquent me ab illa. Quando satiabitur desiderium meum in bonis? quando, quaeris? «Renovabitur sicut aquilae juventus tua.» Quaeris ergo quando satietur in bonis anima tua? Quando renovata fuerit juventus tua. Et addidit, «sicut aquilae.» Profecto hic aliquid latet: quod tamen dici de aquila solet, non tacemus, quia non est ab re hoc intelligere. Illud tantummodo insinuatum sit cordibus nostris, non sine causa dictum esse a Spiritu sancto, «Renovabitur sicut aquilae juventus tua.» Resurrectionem enim quamdam significavit nobis. Et quidem renovatur et juventus aquilae, sed non ad immortalitatem. Data est enim similitudo, quantum de re mortali potuit trahi ad rem utcumque significandam immortalem, non ad demonstrandam. Dicitur aquila, cum senectute corporis pressa fuerit, immoderatione rostri crescentis cibum capere non posse. Pars enim rostri ejus superior, quae supra partem inferiorem aduncatur, cum prae senecta immoderatius creverit, longitudo ejus incrementi non eam sinit os aperire, ut sit aliquod intervallum inter inferiorem partem et uncum superiorem. Nisi enim aliquod intervallum pateat, non habet morsus quasi forcipem, unde velut tondeat quod transmittat in fauces. Crescente itaque superiore parte, et nimis aduncata, non poterit os aperire et aliquid capere. Hoc ei facit vetustas. Praegravatur languore senectutis, et inopia comedendi languescit nimis; utraque re, et aetatis et egestatis accedente. Itaque modo quodam naturali in mensura reparandae quasi juventutis, aquila dicitur collidere et percutere ad petram ipsum quasi labium suum superius, quo nimis crescente edendi aditus clauditur: atque ita conterendo illud ad petram excutit, et caret prioris rostri onere, quo cibus impediebatur. Accedit ad cibum, et omnia reparantur: erit post senectutem tanquam juvenis aquila; redit vigor omnium membrorum, nitor plumarum, gubernacula pennarum, volat excelsa sicut antea, fit in ea quaedam resurrectio. Ad hoc enim exposita est ista similitudo: sicut de luna ponitur, quia deminuta et quodammodo intercepta luna rursus nascitur et impletur; et significat nobis resurrectionem; sed impleta illa non permanet; rursus minuitur, ut semper significet. Sic ergo et hoc quod de aquila dictum est: non ad immortalitatem aquila reparatur, nos autem ad vitam aeternam; sed tamen propterea inde ducta est similitudo, ut quod nos impedit, petra nobis auferat. Non ergo praesumas de viribus tuis; firmitas petrae tibi excutit vetustatem: «Petra autem erat Christus» . In Christo renovabitur sicut aquilae juventus nostra. Etenim inveteravimus inter inimicos nostros, sicut nota est vox psalmi: «Inveteravi,» inquit, «in omnibus inimicis meis» . Unde inveteravimus? Carne mortali, carne ista fenea: et ideo, «Percussum est sicut fenum, et aruit cor meum, quoniam oblitus sum manducare panem meum» . «Oblitus sum,» inquit, «manducare panem meum.» Crevit vetustas, os clausit, atteratur in petra.
102.10 PL 36, 1324
10. “I have eaten ashes as it were bread: and mingled my drink with weeping” (ver. 9). Because He chose to have among His members these kinds of men, that they should be healed and set free, thence is the evil repute. Now at this day what is the character of Pagan calumny against us? what, brethren, do ye conceive they tell us? Ye corrupt discipline, and pervert the morality of the human race. Why dost thou attack us; say why? what have we done? By giving, he replieth, to men room for repentance, by promising impunity for all sins: for this reason men do evil deeds, careless of consequences, because everything is pardoned them, when they are converted.…And what is to become of thee, miserable man, if there shall be no harbour of impunity? If there is only licence for sinning, and no pardon for sins, where wilt thou be, whither wilt thou go? Surely even for thee did it happen, that that afflicted one ate ashes as it were bread, and mingled His drink with weeping. Doth not such a feast now please thee? But nevertheless, he replieth, men add to their sins under the hope of pardon. Nay, but they would add to them if they despaired of pardon. Dost thou not observe in what licentious cruelty gladiators live? whence this, except because, as destined for the sword and sacrifice, they choose to sate their lust, before they pour forth their blood? Wouldest not thou also thus address thyself? I am already a sinner, already an unjust man, one already doomed to damnation, hope of pardon there is none: why should I not do whatever pleaseth me, although it be not lawful? why not fulfil, as far as I can, any longings I may have, if, after these, nothing but torments only be in store? Wouldest thou not thus speak unto thyself, and from this very despair become still worse? Rather than this, then, He who promiseth forgiveness, doth correct thee, saying, “As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.”…For in order that men might not live the worse from despair, He promised a harbour of forgiveness; again, that they might not live the worse from hope of pardon, He made the day of death uncertain: fixing both with the utmost providence, both as a refuge for the returning, and a terror to the loitering. Eat ashes as bread, and mingle thy drink with weeping; by means of this banquet thou shalt reach the table of God. Despair not; pardon hath been promised thee. Thanks be to God, he saith, because it is promised; I hold fast the promise of God. Now therefore live well. To-morrow, he replieth, I will live well. God hath promised the pardon; no one promised thee to-morrow.…
Sic ergo et in hoc psalmo unde agimus, cum praemisisset, «Qui satiat in bonis desiderium tuum;» quasi responderet anima, Non satiabor de mortalibus, non satiabor de temporalibus; aliquid aeternum donet, aliquid aeternum concedat: Sapientiam suam mihi det, Verbum suum mihi det, Deum apud Deum, et se Deum Patrem, et Filium, et Spiritum sanctum. Mendicus ante januam ejus sto, non dormit quem invoco, det mihi tres panes. Evangelium recordamini: ecce quid sit nosse Dei Litteras; qui legerunt moti sunt. Nam recordamini quemdam inopem venisse ad domum amici sui, et petisse tres panes. Et ille, inquit, dormiens respondebat ei, et dicebat: «Jam requiesco, et pueri mei intus mecum dormiunt.» Ille perseverans in petendo, extorsit taedio quod non posset merito . Deus autem dare vult; sed non dat nisi petenti, ne det non capienti. Non taedio tuo vult excitari. Non enim cum oras tanquam dormienti molestus es: «Non dormiet, neque dormitabit, qui custodit Israel» . Semel Christus dormivit, ut illi de latere conjux fieret: dormivit in cruce, manifestum est. Mortuus est enim, ut diceret, «Ego dormivi, et somnum cepi.» Sed numquid qui dormit non adjiciet ut resurgat ? Propterea ibi sequitur, «Et exsurrexi, quoniam Dominus suscipiet me» . Quid vero jam Apostolus? «Christus,» inquit, «surgens a mortuis, jam non moritur, et mors ei ultra non dominabitur» . Ipse ergo non dormit; vide ne fides tua dormiat. Dicat ergo anima jam desiderans satiari quodam excelso, inenarrabili bono, cui jubilatur potius, et de quo jubilatur, quam aliquid explicatur; jam enim vult, jam sentit inde aliquid: videt se impediri praegravatione corporis, non se posse in hac vita satiari; et quasi respondeat, et dicat, Quid mihi dicis, Satiabitur in bonis desiderium tuum? Novi bonum ejus quod desiderem, novi quid mihi sufficiat, video hoc in Philippo: «Ostende,» inquit, «nobis Patrem, et sufficit nobis.» Solum Patrem quasi desiderabat: ostendit Dominus tres panes desiderandos; qui est unus panis ostendit et dixit: «Tanto tempore vobiscum sum, et Patrem non nostis? Philippe, qui me videt, videt et Patrem.» Promisit et Spiritum: «Quem mittet,» inquit, «Pater in nomine meo» ; itemque ait, «Quem ego mittam vobis a Patre» : donum suum aequale sibi. Novi quid desiderem; sed quando inde satiabor? Ecce modo de Trinitate cogito, quomodocumque de Trinitate, vix in aenigmate per speculum, ex parte audeo aliquid sentire; quando satiabor? «Renovabitur sicut aquilae juventus tua.» Non satiaris modo, quia non est idonea anima tua ad solidum illum et magnum cibum; sed rostro clauso, non est idonea. Vetustas tibi os clausit, propterea petra data est, ubi vetustate contrita, renovetur juventus tua sicut aquilae; ut possis manducare panem tuum, illum qui ait: «Ego sum panis vivus, qui de coelo descendi» . «Renovabitur juventus tua sicut aquilae:» tunc satiaberis in bonis.
102.11 PL 36, 1325
11. “And that because of thine indignation and wrath: because thou hast taken me up, thou hast cast me down” (ver. 10). This is thy wrath, O Lord, in Adam: that wrath in which we were all born, which cleaveth unto us by our birth; the wrath froth the stock of iniquity, the wrath from the mass of sin: according to what the Apostle saith, “We also were once the children of wrath, even as others.” For He saith not, the wrath of God shall come upon him: but, “abideth upon him:” because that wrath in which he was born is not taken away.…Man set in honour, is made in the image of God: raised up to this honour, lifted up from the dust, from the earth, he hath received a reasonable soul; by the vivacity of that very reason, he is placed before all beasts, cattle, birds that fly, and fishes. For which of these hath reason to understand? Because none of them is created in the image of God.…Therefore, “Because Thou hast taken me up, Thou hast cast me down:” punishment followeth me, because Thou hast given me a free choice. For if Thou hadst not given me a free choice, and for this reason didst not make me better than cattle, just condemnation would not follow me when I sinned. Thus Thou hast taken me up in giving me freedom of choice, and by Thy judgment Thou hast cast me down.
[«vers. 6.] Faciens misericordias Dominus, et judicium eis qui injuriam accipiunt.» Facit modo, fratres, antequam veniamus ad renovationem sicut aquilae, antequam satiemur in bonis. Quid enim hic, quid in ista peregrinatione, quid in ista vita? numquid deserimur? Non. «Faciens misericordias dominus.» Et videte quomodo faciat misericordias, non nos relinquens in deserto, non nos relinquens in eremo, donec perveniamus ad patriam: «faciens» «misericordias;» sed quibus? «Beati misericordes, quoniam ipsi misericordiam consequentur.» Modo audistis, fratres, cum Evangelium legeretur. Non ergo putet aliquis futuram in se esse misericordiam Dei, si est ipse immisericors. Sed audi quae sit mensura misericordiae, ne quasi in amicum sit, et non sit in inimicum. Dictum est: «Diligite inimicos vestros» . Satiari vis bonis Dei; satiata sit in te misericordia. Plena misericordia ipsa est perfecta misercordia; ipsa est quae amat, quae diligit etiam habentem se odio. Nam quid faciam, inquis? Si coepero diligere inimicum meum, injurias accipiam, et injurias perferam, et non me vindicabo, cum adsint leges? Justum est ut vindices te; conceditur, quia justum est: vide utrum non habeas quod in te vindicetur, et vindica. Sic enim dicis, Itane me non vindicabo? quasi Deus justitiam vindictae reprimat, et non superbiam vindicantis exstinguat. Aut vero adultera illa non erat lapidanda? aut si lapidaretur, iniquum aliquid fieret? Si inique fieret, inique jussum est; Lex autem jussit, Deus jussit: sed, o vos ultores, videte si non estis peccatores. Adducta est adultera mulier lapidanda ex Lege, sed adducta est ad latorem Legis. Saevis qui adduxisti: vide qui saevias, et in quam saevias; si peccator in peccatricem, desine saevire, prius confitere: si peccator saevis in peccatricem, relinque illam; novit ille quid de illa sentiat, quid judicet, quomodo parcat, quomodo sanet. Ex Lege saevis? Melius novit quid agat lator Legis, ex qua saevis. Jam Dominus eo tempore quo illi oblata est, inclinato capite scribebat in terra. Tunc scripsit in terra, quando se inclinavit in terram: antequam se inclinaret in terram, non in terra scripsit, sed in lapide. Jam fructuosum aliquid erat terra de Domini Litteris paritura. In lapide Legem scripserat, significans duritiam Judaeorum: in terra scripsit, significans fructum Christianorum. Venerunt ergo illi adducentes adulteram, tanquam saevientes fluctus in petram: sed ejus responsione confracti sunt. Ait enim illis, «Qui in vobis sine peccato est, prior in illam lapidem jactet.» Et rursum inclinato capite, scribebat in terra. Et unusquisque jam interrogans conscientiam suam, non comparuerunt . Repulit eos, non infirma mulier adultera, sed adulterata conscientia. Vindicare volebant, judicare cupiebant: venerunt ad petram, absorpti sunt juxta petram judices eorum .
102.12 PL 36, 1326
12. “My days have declined like a shadow” (ver. 11).…He had said above, “My days are consumed away like smoke;” and he now saith, “My days have declined like a shadow.” In this shadow, day must be recognised; in this shadow, light must be discerned; lest afterward it be said in late and fruitless repentance, “What hath pride profited us? or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us? All those things are passed away like a shadow.” Say at this season, all things will pass away like a shadow, and thou mayest not pass away like a shadow. “My days have declined like a shadow, and I am withered like grass.” For he had said above, “my heart is smitten down, and I am withered like grass.” But the grass bedewed with the Saviour’s blood will flourish afresh. “I have withered like grass;” I, that is, man, after that disobedience; this I have suffered from Thy just judgment: but what art Thou?
«Faciens misericordias Dominus:» sed quibus? «Beati misericordes, quoniam ipsi misericordiam consequentur.» In omnes fac misericordiam. Quam misericordiam facturus es justo? In necessitatibus tantum corporalibus; quibus si defuerint supplementa a te, non deerunt a Deo. Quod ergo facis, tibi plus prodest. Das mendico transeunti et petenti: quaeris et justum cui des, per quem recipiaris in tabernacula aeterna; quia «qui recipit justum in nomine justi, mercedem justi accipiet» . Mendicus te quaerit, justum tu quaere. De alio enim dictum est, «Omni petenti te da» : et de alio dictum est, Desudet eleemosyna in manu tua, donec invenias justum, cui eam tradas. Et si diu non invenitur; diu quaere, invenies. Sed quid praestabis? Nonne plus tibi praestatur? «Si nos vobis,» inquit, «spiritualia seminavimus, magnum est si vestra carnalia metamus?» Inde est et illud quod pridem exposuimus in nutu Domini, quia producit terra fenum jumentis , id est, carnalia eis qui triturant: quia, «Bovi trituranti os non infrenabis» . Unde vos adhortati sumus ut in hac re diligentes sitis, cauti, sobrii; opera vestra thesauros vestros deputetis. Numquid autem haec, fratres, ideo dicimus, ut ita fiant in nos? Puto in nomine Domini posse esse istam quamvis infirmorum vocem, apostolicam tamen, sed vobis prodest, sicut ait ipse Apostolus: «Non quia quaero datum, sed requiro fructum» . Quam ergo eleemosynam facturus es justo? Non pascebat vidua, pascebat corvus; quia pascebat qui fecit corvum : Eliam dico. Non ergo deest unde Deus det suis: tu vide quid emas, quando emas, quanti emas. Emis enim regnum coelorum; et non est emendi tempus, nisi in hac vita. Et quam vili emas, attende. Tanti tibi valet, quantum habere potueris.
102.13 PL 36, 1326
13. For not because I have fallen, hast Thou grown old: for Thou art strong to set me free, who hast been strong to humble me. “But Thou, O Lord, endurest for ever: and Thy remembrance throughout all generations” (ver. 12). “Thy remembrance,” because Thou dost not forget: “throughout all generations,” forasmuch as we know the promise of life, both present and future.
Fac misericordiam iniquo, non tanquam iniquo. Nam ipsum iniquum in quantum iniquus est, ne suscipias: id est, ne quasi intentione et amore iniquitatis illius suscipias eum. Nam et prohibitum est dari peccatori, et suscipere peccatores. Et quomodo, «Omni petenti te da?» et quomodo, «Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum» ? Quasi contraria videntur, sed aperiuntur in nomine Christi pulsantibus, et manifesta erunt quaerentibus. «Ne tradas peccatori,» et «Ne suscipias peccatorem» ; et tamen, «Omni petenti te da.» Sed peccator est qui me petit. Da, non tanquam peccatori. Quando das tanquam peccatori? Quando in quo peccator est, hoc tibi placet ut des. Paululum attendat Charitas vestra, donec evolvatur res etiam exemplis, multum utilis ad intelligendum. Hoc dixit, Cum esurierit nescio quis, si habes unde des, da; si vides dandum esse ad subveniendum, da. Ne pigrescant in hoc viscera misericordiae, quia tibi peccator occurrit: tibi enim homo peccator occurrit. Cum dico, Occurrit tibi homo peccator, duo nomina dixi; haec duo nomina non superflua sunt: duo nomina, aliud quod homo, aliud quod peccator; quod homo, opus est Dei; quod peccator, opus hominis est: da operi Dei, noli operi hominis. Et quomodo, inquis, me prohibes dare operi hominis? Quid est dare operi hominis? Peccatori dare propter peccatum, placenti tibi propter peccatum. Et quis hoc faciet, inquis? Quis hoc faciet? Utinam nemo, utinam pauci, utinam non publice. Qui venatoribus donant, quare donant, dicant mihi? Quare donat venatori? Hoc in illo amat, in quo nequissimus est; hoc in illo pascit, hoc in illo vestit, ipsam nequitiam publicam spectaculis omnium. Qui donat histrionibus, qui donat aurigis, qui donat meretricibus, quare donat? Numquid non et ipsi hominibus donant? Non tamen ibi attendunt naturam operis Dei, sed nequitiam operis humani. Vis videre quid honores in venatore, quando illum vestis? Dicatur tibi, Sis talis: amas illum, gaudes ad illum, vis quodammodo exspoliare te, et illum vestire; noli cum injuria accipere, si tibi dicatur, Tales sint filii tui. Injuria est, inquis. Quare injuria est, nisi quia illa iniquitas? quare injuria, nisi quia illa turpitudo? Non ergo donas, cum donas, fortitudini, sed turpitudini. Quomodo ergo qui venatori donat, non homini donat, sed arti nequissimae (nam si homo tantum esset, et venator non esset, non donares; honoras in eo vitium, non naturam): sic contra, si des justo, si des prophetae, si des discipulo Christi aliquid cujus indiget, et non ibi cogites quia discipulus Christi est, quia minister est Dei, quia dispensator est Dei; sed cogites ibi aliquod commodum temporale, ut fortasse causae tuae necessarius quando fuerit, venalis tibi sit, quia ei aliquid porrexisti; tam tu non dedisti justo, si sic dederis, quam ille non dedit homini, quando dedit venatori. Res ergo, charissimi, in promptu posita est, et puto quia etsi obscura fuit, jam manifesta est. Ad hoc Dominus te astrinxit, cum diceret, «Qui receperit justum:» sufficeret. Sed quia potest recipi justus alia intentione, cum putatur prodesse posse ad aliquid temporale, forte ad supplendam cupiditatem, forte ad adjuvandum, ut homo circumveniatur, aut opprimatur; quia tale ministerium de illo quaeris, forte propterea suscipis: negavit tibi mercedem justi, nisi cum additamento. Ait enim, «Qui receperit justum in nomine justi;» id est, ideo recipiens quia justus est: et, «Qui receperit prophetam;» non tantum receperit prophetam, sed, «in nomine prophetae,» hoc in illo honorans quod propheta est: ad extremum, «Qui dederit calicem aquae frigidae uni ex minimis istis, tantum in nomine discipuli,» id est propterea quia discipulus Christi est, propterea quia dispensator sacramenti est; «amen dico vobis, non perdet mercedem suam» . Quomodo ergo intelligis, «Qui receperit justum in nomine justi, mercedem justi accipiet;» sic intellige, Qui receperit peccatorem in nomine peccatoris, perdet mercedem.
102.14 PL 36, 1328
14. “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Sion: for it is time that Thou have mercy upon her” (ver. 13). What time? “But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law.” And where is Sion? “To redeem them that were under the Law.” First then were the Jews: for thence were the Apostles, thence those more than five hundred brethren, thence that later multitude, who had but one heart and one soul toward God. Therefore, “the time is come.” What time? “Behold, now is the accepted time: behold, now is the day of salvation.” Who saith this? That Servant of God, that Builder, who said, “Ye are God’s building.”
Ergo, fratres, exercete misericordiam. Non est aliud vinculum charitatis, non est aliud vehiculum quo perducamur ex hac vita ad illam patriam; extendite dilectionem usque ad inimicos: securi estote. Ideo venit Christus, cui tanto ante dictum est, «Ex ore infantium et lactentium perfecisti laudem, ut destruas inimicum et vindicatorem» : quod nonnulli codices «defensorem» habent; sed verius, «vindicatorem.» Destruere voluit Dominus vindicatorem, id est, eum qui se voluit vindicare, ut non illi dimittantur peccata sua. Quid ergo, inquis? dormiet disciplina? auferetur omnis correptio? Non auferetur. Quid enim de luxurioso filio facturus es? non castigabis, non verberabis? Servumque ipsum tuum, si male viventem videris, non poena aliqua, non verberibus refrenabis? Fiat hoc, fiat: admittit Deus, imo reprehendit, si non fiat; sed animo dilectionis fac, non animo ultionis. Ubi autem potentiores aliquos injuriosos passus fueris, ubi tibi nec corrigere disciplina licet, nec forte etiam monere aut praecipere; tolera, securus tolera: audi Evangelium quod modo lectum est, «Beati eritis, cum vos persecuti fuerint homines, et dixerint adversus vos omne malum, mentientes, propter nomen meum» . Et ibi addidit propter quid, ne merito tuo accipias maledicta, non causa justificationum Dei. Non enim qui maledictus fuerit, justus est: sed qui justus est, et injuste maledictus; et si injuste maledicitur, praemium illi redditur. Propterea itaque securus esto misericors, extende dilectionem usque ad inimicos: qui forte pertinent ad gubernationem tuam, vindica, coerce cum dilectione, cum charitate, attendens salutem aeternam; ne cum parcis carni, anima pereat. Fac hoc: et multos passurus es, in quos non potes exercere disciplinam, quia non pertinent ad jura gubernationis tuae; ferto injurias, securus esto. «Faciet» enim «misericordias Dominus, et judicium omnibus injuriam accipientibus.» Sic in te faciet misericordiam, si misertus fueris: sic eris misericors, ut quod pateris injuriam non sit impunitum, «Mihi vindictam, et ego retribuam» , dicit Dominus.
102.15 PL 36, 1329
15. Here therefore what saith he? “For thy servants take pleasure in her stones” (ver. 14). In whose stones? In the stones of Sion? But there are those there that are not stones. Not stones of what? What then followeth? “and pity the dust thereof.” I understand by the stones of Sion all the Prophets: there was the voice of preaching sent before, thence the ministry of the Gospel assumed, through their preaching Christ became known. Therefore thy servants have taken pleasure in the stones of Sion. But those faithless apostates from God, who offended their Creator by their evil deeds, have returned to the earth, whence they were taken. They have become dust, they have become ungodly. But wait, Lord; bear with us, Lord; be long-suffering, O Lord: let not the wind rush in, and sweep away this dust from the face of the earth. Let thy servants come, let them come, let them acknowledge in the stones thy voice, let them pity the dust of Sion, let them be formed in thy image: let the dust say, lest it perish, “Remember that we are but dust.” This of Sion: was not that which crucified the Lord, dust? What is worse, it was dust from the ruined walls; altogether dust it was, but nevertheless it was not in vain said of this dust, “Father, forgive them.” From this very dust there came a wall of so many thousands who believed, and who laid the price of their possessions at the Apostles’ feet. From that dust then there arose a human nature formed and beautiful. Who among the heathen acted thus? How few are there whom we admire for having done thus, compared with the many thousands of these converts? At first suddenly three, afterwards five thousand; all living in unity, all laying the price of their possessions, when they had sold them, at the Apostles’ feet, that it might be distributed to each, as each had need, who had one soul and one heart toward God. Who made this even of that very dust, but He who created Adam himself out of dust? This then is concerning Sion, but not in Sion only.
[«vers. 7.] Notas fecit vias suas Moysi.» Quas vias suas notas fecit Moysi? Quara Moysen elegit? Ex Moyse, intellige omnes justos, omnes sanctos: unum posuit, omnes occurrant. Tamen per Moysen data est Lex, et habet aliquid obscurum traditio ipsa Legis. Ad hoc enim data est Lex, ut convinceretur languidus, et medicum imploraret. Ipsa est via occulta Dei. Jamdudum audieras, «Qui sanat omnes languores tuos.» Languores in aegrotis latebant, dati sunt quinque libri Moysi: cincta est piscina quinque porticibus; produxit languidos, ut ibi jacerent, ut proderentur, non ut sanarentur. Quinque porticus prodebant languidos, non curabant; piscina curabat descendente uno, et hoc piscina turbata : turbatio piscinae in passione Domini. Veniens enim et ignotus factus, cum dicitur ab aliis, Ipse est Christus; ab aliis, Non est Christus; justus est, peccator est; magister est, seductor est: turbavit aquam, id est, turbavit populum; et in tota illa perturbatione aquae unus sanabatur, quia in passione Domini unitas sanatur. Qui praeter unitatem fuerit, etsi jacebit in porticibus, sanari non poterit: etsi Legem tenet, ad salutem non pervenit. Ergo quia hoc ibi mysterium est, ideo docet datam Legem, ut convincerentur peccatores, et ad gratiam accipiendam medicum invocarent. Unde ille convictus est, quem in se transfigurat Paulus apostolus, dicens: «Infelix ego homo, quis me liberabit de corpore mortis hujus?» Per mandatum enim demonstrata illi erat quaedam rixa in seipso, unde dicit, «Video aliam legem in membris meis repugnantem legi mentis meae, et captivum me ducentem sub lege peccati, quae est in membris meis.» Cognovit se in miseria, in gemitu, in rixa et contentione; ipse secum sibi non concordans, a se dissonans, a se resiliens: et quid ait, optans pacem, pacem veram, pacem supernam? «Infelix ego homo, quis me liberabit de corpore mortis hujus? Gratia Dei per Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum» . «Ubi» enim «abundavit peccatum, superabundavit gratia.» Unde autem abundavit peccatum? «Lex autem subintravit, ut abundaret peccatum» . Quare Lege subintrante abundavit peccatum? Quia nolebant se confiteri homines peccatores, addita Lege facti sunt et praevaricatores. Praevaricator enim non est quisque, nisi cum legem transgressus fuerit. Ipse Apostolus hoc dicit: «Ubi enim non est lex, nec praevaricatio» . Abundavit ergo peccatum, ut superabundaret gratia. Ergo, ut dicere coeperam, quia hoc est in Lege magnum mysterium, ideo eam datam, ut crescente peccato, humiliarentur superbi, humiliati confiterentur, confessi sanarentur: istae sunt viae occultae, quas notas fecit Moysi, per quem Legem dedit, qua peccatum abundaret, ut superabundaret gratia. Non crudeliter hoc fecit Deus, sed consilio medicinae. Aliquando enim videtur sibi homo sanus, et aegrotat; et in eo quod aegrotat et non sentit, medicum non quaerit: augetur morbus, crescit molestia, quaeritur medicus, et totum sanatur. «Notas fecit vias suas Moysi; filiis Israel voluntates suas.» Numquid omnibus filiis Israel? Sed veris filiis Israel; imo omnibus filiis Israel. Qui enim dolosi, qui insidiosi, qui hypocritae, non filii Israel. Et qui filii Israel? «Ecce vere Israelita, in quo dolus non est» . «Filiis Israel voluntates suas.»
102.16 PL 36, 1330
16. “The heathen shall fear Thy Name, O Lord; and all the kings of the earth Thy Majesty” (ver. 15). Now that Thou hast pitied Sion, now that Thy servants have taken pleasure in her stones, by acknowledging the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets; now that they have pitied her dust; so that man is formed, or rather re-formed, in life out of dust; hence preaching hath increased among the heathen: let the heathen fear Thy Name, let another wall approach also from the heathen, let the Corner Stone be recognised, let the two who come from different regions, but who no longer differ in belief, meet in close union.
[«vers. 8.] Miserator et misericors Dominus, longanimis et multum misericordiae». Quid tam longanimem? quid tam multum in misericordia? Peccatur et vivitur; accedunt peccata, augetur vita: blasphematur quotidie, et facit solem suum oriri super bonos et malos . Vocat undique ad correctionem, vocat undique ad poenitentiam, vocat beneficiis creaturae, vocat impertiendo tempus vivendi, vocat per lectorem, vocat per tractatorem, vocat per intimam cogitationem, vocat per flagellum correptionis, vocat per misericordiam consolationis: «Longanimis et multum misericordiae.» Sed observa ne longitudine misericordiae Dei male utendo, tu tibi thesaurizes, quod ait Apostolus, iram in die irae. Nam hoc ait Apostolus: «An divitias benignitatis et longanimitatis ejus contemnis, ignorans quia patientia Dei ad poenitentiam te adducit» ? Quod tibi parcit, putas quia places ei? «Haec fecisti,» inquit, «et tacui; suspicatus es iniquitatem, quod ero tui similis» . Non mihi placent peccata, sed longanimitate quaero recte facta. Si punirem peccatores, non invenirem confessores. Ergo te Deus longanimitate sua parcendo ad poenitentiam adducit: tu autem cum quotidie dicis, Finitur hodiernus dies, et sic ero et crastino die, non enim cras erit ultimus; et tertio die: et subito venit ira ejus. Frater, non tardes converti ad Dominum . Sunt enim qui praeparant conversionem, et differunt, et fit in illis vox corvina, Cras, cras. Corvus de arca missus, non est reversus . Non quaerit Deus dilationem in voce corvina, sed confessionem in gemitu columbino. Missa columba reversa est. Quamdiu, Cras, cras? Observa ultimum cras: quia ignoras quod sit ultimum cras, sufficiat quod vixisti usque ad hodiernum peccator. Audisti, saepe soles audire, audisti et hodie: quam quotidie audis, tam quotidie non corrigeris. «Tu» enim «secundum duritiam cordis tui et cor impoenitens, thesaurizas tibi iram in die irae et revelationis justi judicii Dei, qui reddet unicuique secundum opera sua» . Non tibi sic videatur Deus misericors, ut non videatur justus. «Misericors et miserator Dominus.» Audio, et gaudeo: ita dicis. Audi, et gaude; adhuc addidit, «Longanimis et multum misericors:» et in extremo, «Et verax.» Gaudes ad verba superiora, ad ultimum treme. Sic misericors et longanimis est, ut sit et verax. Cum tibi thesaurizaveris iram in die irae, nonne experieris justum, quem contempsisti benignum?
102.17 PL 36, 1331
17. “For the Lord shall build up Sion” (ver. 16). This work is going on now. O ye living stones, run to the work of building, not to ruin. Sion is in building, beware of the ruined walls: the tower is building, the ark is in building; remember the deluge. This work is in progress now; but when Sion is built, what will happen? “And He will appear in His glory.” That He might build up Sion, that He might be a foundation in Sion, He was seen by Sion, but not in His glory: “we have seen Him, and He had no form nor comeliness.” But truly when He shall have come with His angels to judge, shall they not look then upon Him whom they have pierced? and they shall be put to confusion when too late, who refused confusion in early and healthful repentance.
[«vers. 9.] Non in finem irascetur, neque in aeternum indignabitur.» Quia et quod vivimus in flagellis et corruptione mortalitatis, de indignatione ipsius est: de poena hoc habemus primi peccati. Fratres mei, non solum cogitare debemus, ut futuras minas ipsius evadamus, sed et praesentem iram; quia et ista ira ipsius est, cujus et se et nos fuisse dicit filios Apostolus: ait quippe, «Fuimus enim et nos aliquando natura filii irae, sicut et caeteri» . Ergo ex ira ipsius est quod hic homo peregrinatur, quod laborat. Non est ex ira ipsius, fratres mei, «In sudore et in labore edes panem tuum, et terra spinas et tribulos pariet tibi» ? Auctori nostro dictum est. Aut si est aliud vita nostra; si potes, convertere ad aliquam voluptatem, ubi spinas non sentias. Elige quod volueris, avarus, luxuriosus, ut duo ista sola dicamus; adde et tertium, ambitiosus: in honorum cupiditate quantae spinae? in luxurie libidinum quantae spinae? in ardore avaritiae quantae spinae? Amores turpes quantas molestias habent? quantas sollicitudines hic in ista vita? Omitto gehennas. Vide ne jam ipse tibi gehenna sis. Hoc ergo totum, fratres mei, de ira ipsius est: et cum te converteris, ut juste agas, non poteris nisi laborare in terra; et non finitur labor, nisi cum finita fuerit via. Oportet in via laborare, ut in patria gaudeamus. Ergo consolatur promissione sua laborem tuum, sudorem tuum, molestias tuas, et dicit tibi: «Non in finem irascetur, neque in aeternum indignabitur.»
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18. “He hath turned Him unto the prayer of the poor destitute, and despised not their desire” (ver. 17). This is going on now in the building of Sion: the builders of Sion pray, they groan: He is the one poor, because the poor are many; because the thousands among so many nations are one in Him, because He is the unity of the peace of the Church, He is one, He is many: one, through love: many, on account of His extension. Therefore we now pray, we now run: now, if any man hath used to be otherwise, and lived differently, let him eat ashes as it were bread, and mingle his drink with weeping. Now is the time, when Sion is in building: now the stones are entering into the structure: when the building is finished, and the house dedicated, why dost thou run, to ask when too late, to beg in vain, to knock to no purpose, doomed to abide without with the five foolish virgins? Therefore now run.
[«vers. 10, 11.] Non secundum peccata nostra fecit nobis.» Deo gratias, quia hoc voluit. Non quod merebamur accepimus: «Non secundum peccata nostra fecit nobis, neque secundum iniquitates nostras retribuit nobis. Quoniam secundum altitudinem coeli a terra, confirmavit Dominus misericordiam suam super timentes eum. Confirmavit Dominus misericordiam suam super timentes eum:» secundum quid? «Secundum altitudinem coeli a terra.» Quid dixit? Si aliquando potest coelum abscedere a protectione terrae, aliquando poterit Deus non protegere timentes se. Attende et coelum: ubique, undique protegit terram, et nulla pars terrae est quae non coelo protegatur. Peccant homines sub coelo, faciunt omnia mala sub coelo; tamen proteguntur coelo. Inde lux ad oculos, inde aer, inde spiritus, inde pluvia ad terram propter fructus, inde omnis misericordia a coelo. Tolle auxilium coeli a terra, statim deficiet. Sicut ergo protectio coeli permanet super terram, sic protectio Domini permanet super timentes eum. Times Deum, supra te est protectio ipsius. Sed forte flagellaris, et putas quia deseruit te Deus. Si deseruit protectio coeli terram: «Quoniam secundum altitudinem coeli a terra, confirmavit Dominus misericordiam suam super timentes eum.»
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19. “Let these things be written for those that come after” (ver. 18). When these words were written, they profited not so much those among whom they were written for they were written to prophesy the New Testament, among men who lived according to the Old Testament. But God had both given that Old Testament, and had settled in that land of promise His own people. But since “Thy remembrance is from generation to generation,” belongeth not to the ungodly, but to the righteous; “in our generation” belongeth to the Old Testament; while “in the other generation” belongeth to the New Testament; and since the New Testament announceth this that was prophesied, “Let these things be written for those that come after: and the people which shall be created, shall praise the Lord.” Not the people which is created, but “the people which shall be created.” What is clearer, my brethren? Here is prophesied that creation of which the Apostle saith: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” “For he hath looked down from His lofty sanctuary.” He hath looked down from on high, that He might come unto the humble: from on high He hath become humble, that He might exalt the humble.…
[«vers.» 12.] Et quid fecit? Quia non secundum peccata nostra retribuit nobis. «Quantum distat oriens ab occidente, longe fecit a nobis peccata nostra.» Secundum altitudinem coeli a terra, confirmavit Dominus misericordiam suam super nos. Dixi quare: propter protectionem. Unde? «Quantum distat oriens ab occidente, longe fecit» esse «a nobis peccata nostra.» Noverunt qui sacramenta sciunt; tamen quod omnes audire possunt dico. Quando peccatum remittitur, occidunt peccata tua, oritur gratia tua: peccata tua tanquam in occasu sunt; gratia qua liberaris, in ortu est. «Veritas de terra orta est» . Quid est, «Veritas de terra orta est?» Nata est gratia tua, occidunt peccata tua, innovaris quodammodo. Ad ortum attendere debes, ab occasu averti debes. Avertere a peccatis tuis, convertere ad gratiam Dei; illis occidentibus surgis, et proficis. Sed pars coeli quae surgit, rursum in occasum it. Non undecumque possunt similitudines duci ad perfectum, possunt collineari ipsae res rebus ad quas adhibentur: sicut dixit de aquila, sicut de luna, sic et hic. Occidit pars una coeli, oritur altera: sed pars quae oritur modo, post duodecim horas occasura est. Non sic est gratia quae nobis oritur: et peccata in aeternum occidunt, et gratia in aeternum manet.
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20. “Out of the heaven did the Lord look down upon the earth” (ver. 19): “that He might hear the mournings of such as are in fetters, and deliver the children of such as are put to death” (ver. 20). We have found it said in another Psalm, “O let the sorrowful sighs of the fettered come before Thee;” and in a passage where the voice of the martyrs was meant. Whence are the martyrs in fetters?…But God had bound them with these fetters, hard indeed and painful for a season, but endurable on account of His promises, unto whom it is said, “On account of the words of Thy lips, I have kept hard ways.” We must indeed groan in these fetters in order to gain the mercy of God. These fetters must not be shunned, in order to gain a destructive freedom and the temporal and brief pleasure of this life, to be followed by perpetual bitterness. Accordingly Scripture, that we may not refuse the fetters of wisdom, thus addresseth us: “…Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.” Let the fettered therefore cry out, as long as they are in the chains of the discipline of God, in which the martyrs have been tried: the fetters shall be loosed, and they shall fly away, and these very fetters shall afterwards be turned into an ornament. This hath happened with the martyrs. For what have the persecutors effected by killing them, except that their fetters were thereby loosed, and turned into crowns?…The remission of sins, is the loosing. For what would it have profited Lazarus, that he came forth from the tomb, unless it were said to him, “loose him, and let him go”? Himself indeed with His voice aroused him from the tomb, Himself restored his life by crying unto him, Himself overcame the mass of earth that was heaped upon the tomb, and he came forth bound hand and foot: not therefore with his own feet, but by the power of Him who drew him forth. This taketh place in the heart of the penitent: when thou hearest a man is sorry for his sins, he hath already come again to life; when thou hearest him by confessing lay bare his conscience, he is already drawn forth from the tomb, but he is not as yet loosed. When is he loosed, and by whom is he loosed? “Whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth,” He saith, “shall be loosed in Heaven.” Forgiveness of sins may justly be granted by the Church: but the dead man himself cannot be aroused except by the Lord crying within him; for God doth this within him. We speak to your ears: how do we know what may be going on in your hearts? But what is going on within, is not our doing, but His.
[«vers.» 13.] Quare autem, «Quantum distat oriens ab occidente,» tantum «longe fecit a nobis peccata nostra,» ut illa occidant, et gratia oriatur? quare putatis? «Sicut miseratur pater filios, sic miseratus est Dominus limentes eum.» Jam saeviat quantum vult, pater est. Sed flagellavit nos, et afflixit nos, et contrivit nos: pater est. Fili, si ploras, sub patre plora; noli cum indignatione, noli cum typho superbiae. Quod pateris, unde plangis, medicina est, non poena; castigatio est, non damnatio. Noli repellere flagellum, si non vis repelli ab haereditate: noli attendere quam poenam habeas in flagello, sed quem locum in testamento. «Sicut miseratur pater filios, sic miseratus est Dominus timentes eum.»
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21. “That the name of the Lord may be declared in Sion” (ver. 21). For at first, when the fettered were appointed unto death, the Church was oppressed: since these tribulations the Name of the Lord has been declared in Sion, with great freedom, in the Church herself. For she is Sion: not that one spot, at first proud, afterwards taken captive; but the Sion whose shadow was that Sion, which signifieth a watch-tower; because when placed in the flesh, we see into the things before us, extending ourselves not to the present which is now, but to the future. Thus it is a watch-tower: for every watcher gazes far. Places where guards are set, are termed watch-towers: these are set on rocks, on mountains, in trees, that a wider prospect may be commanded from a higher eminence. Sion therefore is a watch-tower, the Church is a watch-tower.…If therefore the Church be a watch-tower, the Name of the Lord is already declared there. Not the Lord’s Name only is declared in that Sion, but “His praise,” He saith, “in Jerusalem.”
[«vers. 14.] Quoniam ipse cognovit figmentum nostrum:» id est, infirmitatem nostram. Novit quid fecerit, quomodo lapsum sit, quomodo reficiendum sit, quomodo adoptandum sit, quomodo ditandum sit. Ecce facti sumus de limo: «Primus homo de terra, terrenus; secundus homo de coelo, coelestis» . Misit et Filium suum, qui factus est secundus homo, qui ante omnia Deus. Secundus enim in adventu, prior in reditu: post multos mortuus est, ante omnes resurrexit. «Ipse cognovit figmentum nostrum:» quod figmentum? Nos. Unde loqueris quia cognovit? Quia miseratus est. «Memento quia pulvis sumus.» Ad ipsum Deum conversus ait, «Memento,» quasi obliviscatur Deus: sic cognoscit, sic novit, ut non obliviscatur. Sed quid est, «Memento?» Perseveret erga nos misericordia tua. Cognovisti figmentum nostrum quodam modo; ne obliviscaris figmentum nostrum, ne obliviscamur gratiam tuam. «Memento quia pulvis sumus.»
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22. And how is it declared? “In the nations gathering together in one, and the kingdoms, that they may serve the Lord” (ver. 22). How is this accomplished, unless by the blood of the slain? How accomplished, but by the groans of the fettered? Those therefore who were in tribulation and humility have been heard; that in our times the Church might be in the great glory which we see her in, so that the very kingdoms which then persecuted her, now serve the Lord.
[«vers. 15.] Homo, tanquam fenum dies illius.» Attendat quid sit homo; non superbiat homo: «tanquam fenum dies illius.» Quid superbit fenum modo florens, post paululum arescens? quid superbit fenum ad tempus virens, et hoc ad parvum tempus, donec sol candescat? Bonum est ergo nobis ut misericordia ipsius sit super nos, et de feno aurum faciat. Nam «homo, tanquam fenum dies ejus; sicut flos agri, ita efflorebit.» Totus splendor generis humani; honores, potestates, divitiae, typhi, minae, flos feni est. Floret illa domus, et magna illa domus, floret illa familia; et quam multi florent, aut quam multis annis vivunt? Multi anni tibi; breve tempus Deo. Deus non sic numerat, quomodo tu numeras. In comparatione longorum et longe viventium saeculorum, omnis flos cujusque domus sic est, quomodo flos agri. Vix est annua omnis pulchritudo anni. Quidquid ibi viget, quidquid ibi candet, quidquid ibi pulchrum est, non perannat; imo per totum annum duci non potest. Quam exiguo tempore transeunt flores, et hoc est pulchrum in herbis. Hoc quod valde pulchrum est, hoc cito cadit. «Omnis caro fenum, et claritas hominis ut flos feni. Fenum aruit, et flos decidit: Verbum autem Domini manet in aeternum» . Quia ergo quomodo Pater cognovit figmentum nostrum, quia fenum sumus, et ad tempus florere possumus; misit nobis Verbum suum, et Verbum suum quod manet in aeternum, feno quod non manet in aeternum fratrem fecit: natura Unigenitum, unicum natum de substantia sua fratrem adoptatis tot fratribus fecit. Noli mirari quia particeps eris aeternitatis illius; factus est ipse prior particeps feni tui. Quod excelsum est a te, tibi denegabit, qui quod humile erat ex te suscepit? Ergo «homo,» quantum ad hominem attinet, «sicut fenum dies ejus; sicut flos agri, ita florebit.»
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23. “She answered Him in the way of His strength” (ver. 23).…The preceding words show, that either “His praise,” or “Jerusalem,” answered: for it was said, “And His praise in Jerusalem; in the nations gathering together in one, and the kingdoms, that they may serve the Lord. Respondit ei.” We cannot say, “the kingdoms answered,” for he would have said responderunt. Respondit ei. We cannot say, “the nations answered,” for he would have said, responderunt (in the plural). Since then it is Respondit ei, in the singular, we look for the singular number above, and find that the words, “His praise,” and “Jerusalem,” are the only words in which we find it. But since it is doubtful, whether it be “His praise,” or “Jerusalem,” let us expound it each way. How did “His praise” answer Him? When they who are called by Him thank Him. For He calleth, we answer; not by our voice, but by our faith; not by our tongue, but by our life.…From His elect and holy men, Jerusalem also answereth Him. For Jerusalem also was called: and the first Jerusalem refused to hear, and it was said unto her, “Behold, thy house shall be left unto the desolate.”…But that Jerusalem, of whom it was written, “Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear,” “She hath answered Him.” What meaneth, “She hath answered Him”? She despiseth Him not when He called. He sent rain, She gave fruit.
[«vers. 16.] Quoniam spiritus pertransibit in eo, et non erit, et non cognoscet amplius locum suum.» Quasi perditio quaedam, quasi interitus quidam. Ecce qui se inflat, ecce qui tumet, ecce qui se extollit, «Spiritus pertransiet in eo, et non erit, et non cognoscet amplius locum suum.» Videte quotidie morientes; et hoc erit totum, ipse erit finis. Non alloquitur enim fenum, sed propter quod et Verbum fenum factum est. Tu enim homo; propter te autem et Verbum factum est homo: tu caro, et propter te Verbum caro factum est. «Omnis caro fenum, et Verbum caro est factum» . Quanta ergo spes feni, quando Verbum caro factum? Illud quod manet in aeternum, non dedignatum est suscipere fenum, ne de se desperaret fenum.
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24. “She answered Him:” but where? “in the path of His strength.”…The Church therefore answered Him not in the way of weakness; because after His resurrection He called the Church from the whole world, no longer weak upon the cross, but strong in heaven. For it is not the praise of the Christian faith that they believe that Christ died, but that they believe that He arose from the dead. Even the Pagan believeth that He died; and maketh this a charge against thee, that thou hast believed in one dead. What then is thy praise? It is that thou believest that Christ arose from the dead, and that thou dost hope that thou shalt rise from the dead through Christ: this is the praise of faith. “For if thou shalt confess with thy mouth that Jesus is the Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”…This is the faith of Christians. In this faith then, in which the Church is gathered, “She hath answered Him,” She gave Him worship according to His commandments: “in the path of His strength,” not in the path of His weakness.
[«vers.» 17.] Ergo quod ad te attendis, humilitatem tuam cogita, pulverem tuum cogita; noli extolli: quidquid melius eris, gratia illius eris, misericordia illius eris. Audi enim quod sequitur: «Misericordia vero Domini in saeculo et in saeculum, super timentes eum.» Qui non timetis eum, fenum, et in feno, et in tormento cum feno eritis: resurget enim caro ad tormentum. Gaudeant illi qui timent eum, quia super eos misericordia ejus.
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25. How she answered Him, ye have already heard above. “In the gathering of the nations into one.” Herein she answered Him, in unity: he who is not in unity, answereth Him not. For He is One, the Church is unity: none but unity answereth to Him who is One.…Since some were destined to say against her, She hath existed, and no longer doth exist; “Show me,” He saith, “the shortness of my days,” what is it, that I know not what apostates from me murmur against me? why is it that lost men contend that I have perished? For they surely say this, that I have been, and no longer am: “Show me the shortness of my days.” I do not ask from Thee about those everlasting days: they are without end, where I shall be; it is not those I ask of: I ask of temporal days; show unto me my temporal days; “show me the shortness,” not the eternity, “of my days.” Declare unto me, how long I shall be in this world: on account of those who say, “She hath been,” and is no more: on account of those who say, The Scriptures are fulfilled, all nations have believed, but the Church hath become apostate, and hath perished from among all nations.…
[«vers. 18.] Et justitia ejus super filios filiorum.» Retributionem dicit, «super filios filiorum.» Quam multi sunt servi Dei non habentes filios, quanto minus «filios filiorum?» sed filios nostros dicit opera nostra; «filios filiorum,» mercedem operum nostrorum. «Justitia ejus super filios filiorum, custodientibus testamentum ejus.» Videant ne putent omnes ad se pertinere quod dictum est: eligant, cum licet. «Custodientibus,» inquit, «testamentum ejus, et memoria retinentibus mandata ejus, ut faciant ea.» Jam te disponebas extollere, et forte reddere mihi Psalterium, quod ego non teneo, aut totam Legem memoriter pronuntiare. Plane in memoria melior me, melior quovis justo, si justus ad verbum Legem non tenet: sed vide ut praecepta teneas. Sed quomodo teneas? Non memoria, sed vita. «Memoria retinentibus mandata ejus:» non ut reddant ea; sed, «ut faciant ea.» Jam forte modo perturbatur uniuscujusque anima. Quis tenet omnia mandata Dei? quis tenet omnes Litteras Dei? Ecce volo non solum memoria tenere, sed et operibus meis facere: sed quis tenet omnia memoria? Noli timere; non te onerat. «In duobus praeceptis tota Lex pendet, et Prophetae» . Sed totam Legem volo tenere. Tene, si potes, quando potes, quomodo potes. Quamcumque paginam interrogaveris, hoc tibi respondebit: Quod tenes, tene; charitatem tene: «Finis praecepti est charitas» . Noli cogitare de multitudine ramorum; radicem tene, et tota arbor in te est. «Et memoria retinentibus mandata ejus ut faciant ea.»
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26. Seest thou not that there are still nations among whom the Gospel hath not been preached? Since then it is needful that what the Lord spoke shall be fulfilled, declaring unto the Church the shortness of my days, that this Gospel be preached in all nations, and then that the end may come, why is it that thou sayest that the Church hath already perished from among all nations, when the Gospel is being preached for this purpose, that it may be in all nations? Therefore the Church remaineth even unto the end of the world, in all nations; and this is the shortness of Her days, because all that is limited is short; so that She may pass into eternity from this brief existence. May heretics be lost, may that which they are be lost, and may they be found, that they may be what they are not. Shortness of days will be unto the end of the world: shortness for this reason, because the whole of this season, I say not from this day unto the end of the world, but from Adam down to the end of the world, is a mere drop compared with eternity.
[«vers. 19.] Dominus paravit in coelo thronum suum.» Quis, nisi Christus, paravit in coelo thronum suum? Qui descendit et ascendit, qui mortuus est et resurrexit, qui hominem assumptum in coelum levavit, ipse paravit in coelo thronum suum. Thronus sedes est judicis: observate ergo qui auditis, quia «paravit in coelo thronum suum.» Faciat quisque quod vult in terra, non erit impunitum peccatum, non erit infructuosa justitia; quia Dominus qui ante thronum judicis hominis irrisus est, in coelo paravit thronum suum. «Dominus in coelo paravit thronum suum; et regnum ejus omnium dominabitur.» Domini est regnum, et ipse dominabitur gentium . «Et regnum ejus omnium dominabitur.»
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27. Let not therefore heretics flatter themselves against me, because I said, “the shortness of my days,” as if they would not last down to the end of the world. For what hath he added? “O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days” (ver. 24). Deal Thou not with me according as heretics speak. Lead me on unto the end of the world, not only to the middle of my days; and finish my short days, that Thou mayest afterwards grant unto me eternal days. Wherefore then hast thou asked concerning the shortness of thy days? Wherefore? Dost thou wish to hear? “Thy years are in the generation of generations.” This is why I asked concerning those short days, because although my days should endure unto the end of the world, yet they are short in comparison of Thy days. For “Thy years are in the generation of generations.” Wherefore doth he not say, Thy years are unto worlds of worlds; for thus rather is eternity usually signified in the holy Scriptures; but he saith, “Thy years are in the generation of generations”? But what are thy years? what, but those which do not come, and then pass away? what, but they which come not, so as to cease again? For every day in this season so cometh as to cease again; every hour, every month, every year; nothing of these is stationary; before it hath come, it is to be; after it hath come, it will not be. Those everlasting years of thine, therefore, those years that are not changed, “are in the generation of generations.” There is a “generation of generations;” in that shall thy years be. There is one such, and if we acknowledge it aright, we shall be in it, and the years of God shall be in us. How shall they be in us? Just as God Himself shall be in us: whence it is said, “That God may be all in all.” For the years of God, and God Himself, are not different: but the years of God are the eternity of God: eternity is the very substance of God, which hath nothing changeable; there nothing is past, as if it were no longer: nothing is future, as if it existed not as yet. There is nothing there but, Is: there is not there, Was, and Will be; because what was, is now no longer: and what will be, is not as yet: but whatever is there, simply Is.…Behold this great I Am! What is man’s being to this? To this great I Am, what is man, whatever he be? Who can understand that To Be? who can share it? who can pant, aspire, presume that he may be there? Despair not, human frailty! “I am,” He saith, “the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Thou hast heard what I am in Myself: now hear what I am on thy account. This eternity then hath called us, and the Word burst forth from eternity. It is now eternity, it is now the Word, and no longer time.
[«vers. 20.] Benedicite Dominum, omnes Angeli ejus, potentes fortitudine, facientes verbum ejus.» Ergo tu verbo Dei nondum justus es aut fidelis, nisi cum facis. «Potentes fortitudine, facientes verbum ejus, ad audiendam vocem sermonum ejus».
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28. …From so many generations thou wilt gather together all the holy offspring of all generations, and wilt form one generation thence: “In” this “generation of generations are Thy years,” that is, that eternity will be in that generation, which is collected from all generations, and reduced into one; this shall share in Thy eternity. Other generations are born for fulfilling their times, out of which this one is regenerated for ever; though changed it shall be endued with life, it shall be fitted to bear Thee, receiving strength from Thee.
[«vers. 21.] Benedicite Dominum, omnes virtutes ejus, ministri ejus, facientes voluntatem ipsius.» Omnes Angeli, omnes potentes fortitudine, facientes verbum ejus, omnes virtutes ejus, omnes ministri ejus, facientes voluntatem ipsius, vos, vos benedicite Dominum. Omnes enim male viventes, etsi lingua taceant, vita Domino maledicunt. Quid prodest quia hymnum cantat lingua tua, si sacrilegium exhalat vita tua? Male vivendo multas linguas misisti in blasphemiam. Lingua tua vacat hymno, et caeterae te intuentium vacant blasphemiis. Si ergo vis benedicere Dominum, fac verbum ejus, fac voluntatem ejus. In petra aedifica, noli in arena. Audire et non facere, in arena aedificare est: audire et facere, in petra aedificare est: nec audire, nec facere, nihil aedificare est. Si in arena aedificas, ruinam aedificas: si nihil aedificas, expositus pluviae, fluminibus, ventis, ante rapieris quam steteris . Ergo non est cessandum, sed aedificandum: nec sic aedificandum, ut ruina aedificetur; sed in petra aedificandum, ut tentatio non evertat. Si sic est, benedic Dominum: si non est sic, noli blandiri linguae tuae; vitam tuam interroga, ipsa tibi respondeat. Invenis quid sis mali; geme, confitere: confessio tua potest Dominum benedicere; sed mutatio tua in benedictione perseveret.
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29. “Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth: and the Heavens are the work of Thy hands” (ver. 25).…God laid the foundation of the earth, we know: the heavens are the works of His hands. For do not imagine that God doth one thing with His hand, another by His word. What He doth by His word, He doth by His hand: for He hath not distinct bodily members, who said, “I Am That I Am.” And perhaps His Word is His hand, assuredly His hand is His power. For inasmuch as it is said, “Let there be a firmament,” and there was a firmament; He is understood to have created it by His Word; but when He said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness;” He seemeth to have created him by His hand. Hear therefore: “The heavens are the work of Thy hands.” Lo, what He created by His word, He created also by His hands; because He created them through His excellence, through His power. Observe rather what He created, and seek not to know in what manner He created them. It is much to thee to understand how He created them, since He created thyself so, that thou mayest first be a servant obeying, and afterwards perhaps a friend understanding.
[«vers. 22.] Benedicite Dominum, omnia opera ejus, in omni loco dominationis ejus.» Ergo in omni loco. Ibi non benedicatur, ubi non dominatur: «In omni loco dominationis ejus.» Ne forte aliquis dicat: Non possum benedicere Dominum in oriente, quia ad occidentem profectus est; aut, Non possum in occidente, quia in oriente est. «Non ab oriente et ab occidente, non a desertis montibus; quoniam Deus judex est» . Sic ubique est, ut ubique benedicatur: sic undique est, ut illi undique jubiletur: sic undique benedicitur, ut undique bene vivatur. «Benedicite Dominum, omnia opera ejus.» Quia cum coeperis in bona vita benedicere Dominum, opera ejus eum benedicunt, non merita tua. Ipse enim per te et in te bonum operatur, dicente Apostolo: «Cum timore et tremore vestram ipsorum salutem operamini; Deus enim est qui operatur in vobis» . Ergo ne te extolleres, quia facis verbum ejus, quia facis voluntatem ejus, voluit te humiliari, respiciendo gratiam ejus, unde hoc consecutus es. «In omni loco dominationis ejus. Benedic, anima mea, Dominum.» Ipse ultimus versus est qui primus: benedictio a capite, benedictio in fine; a benedictione profecti sumus, ad benedictionem redeamus, in benedictione regnemus.
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30. “They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure” (ver. 26). The Apostle Peter saith this openly: “By the word of God the heavens were of old,” etc. He hath said then that the heavens have already perished by the flood: and we know that the heavens perished as far as the extent of this atmosphere of ours. For the water increased, and filled the whole of that space in which birds fly; thus perished the heavens that are near the earth; those heavens which are meant when we speak of the birds of heaven. But there are heavens of heavens higher than these in the firmament: but whether these also shall perish by fire, or those only which perished also by the flood, is a much harder question among the learned, nor can it easily, especially in a limited space of time, be explained. Let us therefore dismiss or put it off; nevertheless, let us know that these things perish, and that God endureth.…
102.31 PL 36, 1316
31. Perhaps by the heavens we here may understand, without being far-fetched, the righteous themselves, the saints of God, abiding in whom God hath thundered in His commandments, lightened in His miracles, watered the earth with the wisdom of truth, for “The heavens have declared the glory of God.” But shall they perish? Shall they in any sense perish? In what sense? As a garment. What is, as a garment? As to the body. For the body is the garment of the soul; since our Lord called it a garment, when He said, “Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” How then doth the garment perish? “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” They then shall perish: but as to the body: “But Thou shalt endure.”…Such heavens therefore shall perish; not, however, for ever; they shall perish, that they may be changed. Doth not the Psalm say this? Read the following: “They shall all wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed.” Thou hearest of the garment, of the vesture, and dost thou understand anything but the body? We may therefore hope for the change of our bodies also, but from Him who was before us, and abideth after us.…“But Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail” (ver. 27). But what are we to those years with these beggarly years? and what are they? Yet we ought not to despair. He had already said in His great and exceeding Wisdom, “I Am That I Am;” and yet He saith to console us, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob:” and we are Abraham’s seed: even we, although abject, although dust and ashes, trust in Him. We are servants: but for our sakes our Lord took the garb of a servant: for us who are mortal the Immortal One deigned to die, for our sakes He showed His example of resurrection. Let us therefore hope that we may reach these lasting years, in which days are not spent in a revolution of the Sun, but what is abideth even as it is, because it alone truly Is.
102.32 PL 36, 1316
32. “The children of Thy servants shall dwell there: and their seed shall stand fast for ages” (ver. 28): for the age of ages, the age of eternity, the age that abideth. But, “the children,” he saith, “of Thy servants:” is it to be feared lest we be the servants of God, and our children, and not ourselves, dwell there? Or if we are the children of the servants, inasmuch as we are the Apostles’ children, what are we to say? Can those children rising after have so unhappy a presumption, as to boast in their late succession, and so to venture to say, We shall be there; the Apostles will not be there? May this be far from their piety as children, from their faith as little ones, from their understanding when of age! The Apostles also will be there: rams go before, lambs follow. Wherefore then, “the children of Thy servants;” and not in brief, “Thy servants”? Both they are Thy servants, and their children are Thy servants; and the children of these, their grandsons, what are they but Thy servants? Thou wouldest include them all briefly, if Thou shouldest say, Thy servants shall dwell therein.…“The children of Thy servants,” are the works of Thy servants; no one shall dwell there, but through his own works. What therefore meaneth, Their children shall dwell? Let no man boast that he shall dwell there, if he calleth himself God’s servant, and hath not works; for none but children shall dwell there. What meaneth therefore, “The children of Thy servants shall dwell there”? Thy servants shall dwell there by their own works, Thy servants shall dwell there through their own children. Be not therefore barren, if thou dost wish to dwell there; send before the children whom thou mayest follow, by sending them before thee, not by burying them. Let thy children lead thee to the land of promise, the land of the living, not of the dying: whilst thou art living here in this pilgrimage, let them go before thee, let them receive thee.…